❓ Ms. Mitchell inquires about initiatives targeting low participation groups in sports. The Minister highlights the KidSport program, an inclusive sports funding scheme, and efforts to integrate culturally diverse, Indigenous, and disabled individuals into mainstream sports, citing positive outcomes and increased participation.
AnsweredQoN 149Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
SPORTS PARTICIPATION PROGRAMS
149. Ms A.R. MITCHELL to the Minister for Sport and
Recreation:
The KidSport program has proven to be very successful in the
community. Can the minister inform the house of other initiatives run through
the sport and recreation portfolio that specifically target low participation
groups in our community?
149. Ms A.R. MITCHELL to the Minister for Sport and
Recreation:
The KidSport program has proven to be very successful in the
community. Can the minister inform the house of other initiatives run through
the sport and recreation portfolio that specifically target low participation
groups in our community?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member of Kingsley. As she knows, I have always
had a strong view that sport plays a really important role in communities,
particularly where we want to break down the barriers. Breaking down those
barriers to participation is critically important. This morning in a brief
ministerial statement, I talked about us providing a program to children with
autistic spectrum disorder that does exactly that. It is an unfortunate fact
that our culturally and linguistically diverse groups, Indigenous people and
people with disabilities are probably underrepresented in mainstream sport, and
I think that that is an issue. Our KidSport program that the member mentioned
in her question certainly contributes to getting those people involved. The
percentages of people from those groups taking up the KidSport program are
really encouraging. A lot of good things are happening within the sports
themselves. Most sporting clubs and groups now accept that they have an
obligation to try to integrate those people from different groups and to have
more inclusive strategies in their operations, and we are trying to assist
those clubs.
That is why I want to talk about the inclusive sports funding
scheme, which has been really important. That scheme was implemented in 2009 as
an initial three-year pilot project to support our state sporting associations.
The intent of that scheme is twofold. Firstly, we wanted to increase the
capacity of our state sporting associations to be able to deliver for the CALD,
Indigenous and disability groups; that is taking place. Secondly, we wanted to
increase participation rates of those groups at our community-level sport,
because it is more than just about the playing of sport; it is about being
included in the community. That program has been successful. In total, seven
associations are involved at the moment. We are investing about $838 500, and
the results have been outstanding. I give a couple of quick figures. In excess
of 9 000 participants were exposed to sports for the first time through this
inclusive sports initiative funding, and over 4 700 people now participate
regularly. That is a lot of people from those groups now participating
regularly. Of those, and across all sports, 700 individuals are now registered
as full club members. The thing about being a member of a club—the
KidSport program is about that as well—is to get them into that club
situation. I will not go through all the benefits; I think members know them.
Most involved sporting codes have increased their own
memberships, which is good, and we are taking a broad reach of sport into that
broader community. I am really pleased with that. The sports engaged with this
program have developed networks and partnerships with their service providers
so they can target these groups. All the sports involved now employ a dedicated
staff member to this area, which I think is really terrific outcome, because
there is a real focus going on. I will get on with it, Mr Speaker! It is important
because it indicates to me that the sports really take this seriously, and it
is very, very important. I see the Speaker is keen for me to move on!
I am very proud, Mr Speaker and member for Kingsley, of what
we are doing in this area. I think our infrastructure program speaks for
itself. We are doing what governments should be doing; it is about government
actually delivering to people in these groups and making their lives a hell of
a lot better.
had a strong view that sport plays a really important role in communities,
particularly where we want to break down the barriers. Breaking down those
barriers to participation is critically important. This morning in a brief
ministerial statement, I talked about us providing a program to children with
autistic spectrum disorder that does exactly that. It is an unfortunate fact
that our culturally and linguistically diverse groups, Indigenous people and
people with disabilities are probably underrepresented in mainstream sport, and
I think that that is an issue. Our KidSport program that the member mentioned
in her question certainly contributes to getting those people involved. The
percentages of people from those groups taking up the KidSport program are
really encouraging. A lot of good things are happening within the sports
themselves. Most sporting clubs and groups now accept that they have an
obligation to try to integrate those people from different groups and to have
more inclusive strategies in their operations, and we are trying to assist
those clubs.
That is why I want to talk about the inclusive sports funding
scheme, which has been really important. That scheme was implemented in 2009 as
an initial three-year pilot project to support our state sporting associations.
The intent of that scheme is twofold. Firstly, we wanted to increase the
capacity of our state sporting associations to be able to deliver for the CALD,
Indigenous and disability groups; that is taking place. Secondly, we wanted to
increase participation rates of those groups at our community-level sport,
because it is more than just about the playing of sport; it is about being
included in the community. That program has been successful. In total, seven
associations are involved at the moment. We are investing about $838 500, and
the results have been outstanding. I give a couple of quick figures. In excess
of 9 000 participants were exposed to sports for the first time through this
inclusive sports initiative funding, and over 4 700 people now participate
regularly. That is a lot of people from those groups now participating
regularly. Of those, and across all sports, 700 individuals are now registered
as full club members. The thing about being a member of a club—the
KidSport program is about that as well—is to get them into that club
situation. I will not go through all the benefits; I think members know them.
Most involved sporting codes have increased their own
memberships, which is good, and we are taking a broad reach of sport into that
broader community. I am really pleased with that. The sports engaged with this
program have developed networks and partnerships with their service providers
so they can target these groups. All the sports involved now employ a dedicated
staff member to this area, which I think is really terrific outcome, because
there is a real focus going on. I will get on with it, Mr Speaker! It is important
because it indicates to me that the sports really take this seriously, and it
is very, very important. I see the Speaker is keen for me to move on!
I am very proud, Mr Speaker and member for Kingsley, of what
we are doing in this area. I think our infrastructure program speaks for
itself. We are doing what governments should be doing; it is about government
actually delivering to people in these groups and making their lives a hell of
a lot better.
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