❓ Mr. Waldron asks about the reach of the KidSport program, particularly regarding Aboriginal children's participation. The Minister responds positively, highlighting the program's success and impact across the state, especially in regional areas, and its popularity with girls.
AnsweredQoN 224Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
KIDSPORT PROGRAM
224. Mr T.K. WALDRON to the Minister for
Sport and Recreation:
I notice that the state government's
KidSport program has had more than 10 000 Aboriginal children sign up to
participate in club sport since it began. Could the minister please explain the
reach the program has across our state?
224. Mr T.K. WALDRON to the Minister for
Sport and Recreation:
I notice that the state government's
KidSport program has had more than 10 000 Aboriginal children sign up to
participate in club sport since it began. Could the minister please explain the
reach the program has across our state?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question.
Members would know that this program was put in place when the member for Wagin
was the Minister for Sport and Recreation. It has been so successful that
nearly every state in Australia has picked it up in one form or another. We hit
a really exciting milestone a couple of weeks ago when we signed up the 10 000 th Aboriginal child to this program. A total of 55 000 children can now
participate in organised sport who otherwise could not afford to. I think that
is quite remarkable not only from the perspective of this state government, but
also for the whole community. I am sure that everyone in this house understands
the value of being part of organised sport—part of a team. Certainly
from my perspective, growing up in a small community, my father encouraged me
to be a part of every sporting organisation. That added to —
Mr
D.J. Kelly interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean!
Several members interjected.
Ms
M.J. DAVIES : Sorry, Mr Speaker, there is a bit of a drip on the other side.
The
SPEAKER : Minister, through the Chair.
Ms
M.J. DAVIES : Although the opposition is making light of this fact, it is a remarkable
program. A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting Sorrell and
Kelliesha Dimer, who are part of the Kingsley Junior Football Club. Kelliesha
stands about so high and she is just about to start playing football in the
same team as her older brother. I will just say that 90 per cent of the 10 000
kids are from regional Western Australia, which is another great statistic from
the program. Members in this house are welcome to talk to their local
Department of Sport and Recreation manager, who will be able to provide them
with the statistics in their electorates.
A member interjected.
Ms
M.J. DAVIES : The member certainly does, and they would be happy to provide
him with the statistics in his local area.
Unsurprisingly, Australian Rules
football is the most popular sport picked up by the kids. That probably comes
as no surprise to anyone in this house. It is really pleasing, particularly
from my perspective, that 41 per cent of Aboriginal KidSport participants are
girls. That is great ahead of what is happening this weekend at Domain Stadium
with the women's football curtain-raiser match. A new generation of
women are coming through and participating in sport. From our perspective, no
child should be denied the opportunity to be part of an organised team sport
because they cannot afford a uniform or to pay registration fees. Another great
milestone reached.
Members would know that this program was put in place when the member for Wagin
was the Minister for Sport and Recreation. It has been so successful that
nearly every state in Australia has picked it up in one form or another. We hit
a really exciting milestone a couple of weeks ago when we signed up the 10 000 th Aboriginal child to this program. A total of 55 000 children can now
participate in organised sport who otherwise could not afford to. I think that
is quite remarkable not only from the perspective of this state government, but
also for the whole community. I am sure that everyone in this house understands
the value of being part of organised sport—part of a team. Certainly
from my perspective, growing up in a small community, my father encouraged me
to be a part of every sporting organisation. That added to —
Mr
D.J. Kelly interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean!
Several members interjected.
Ms
M.J. DAVIES : Sorry, Mr Speaker, there is a bit of a drip on the other side.
The
SPEAKER : Minister, through the Chair.
Ms
M.J. DAVIES : Although the opposition is making light of this fact, it is a remarkable
program. A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting Sorrell and
Kelliesha Dimer, who are part of the Kingsley Junior Football Club. Kelliesha
stands about so high and she is just about to start playing football in the
same team as her older brother. I will just say that 90 per cent of the 10 000
kids are from regional Western Australia, which is another great statistic from
the program. Members in this house are welcome to talk to their local
Department of Sport and Recreation manager, who will be able to provide them
with the statistics in their electorates.
A member interjected.
Ms
M.J. DAVIES : The member certainly does, and they would be happy to provide
him with the statistics in his local area.
Unsurprisingly, Australian Rules
football is the most popular sport picked up by the kids. That probably comes
as no surprise to anyone in this house. It is really pleasing, particularly
from my perspective, that 41 per cent of Aboriginal KidSport participants are
girls. That is great ahead of what is happening this weekend at Domain Stadium
with the women's football curtain-raiser match. A new generation of
women are coming through and participating in sport. From our perspective, no
child should be denied the opportunity to be part of an organised team sport
because they cannot afford a uniform or to pay registration fees. Another great
milestone reached.
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