12 May 2010

The Hon Peter Garrett AM MP
Federal Member for Kingsford Smith
Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts

Budding sports stars in Kingsford Smith will have double the chance to tap into the Australian Government’s Local Sporting Champion’s fund.

Member for Kingsford Smith Peter Garrett said the Government had doubled the number of Local Sporting Champions grants available in 2010-11, with an increase in the 2010-11 Budget to $3.17 million, giving every electorate throughout the nation more  chances to support local youth sports stars.

Mr Garrett said 24 individual grants and two team grants of up to $18,000 are available for those aged between 12 -18 years in Kingsford Smith wanting to compete in state and national events.

Mr Garrett said the program had already been incredibly popular with young athletes in Kingsford Smith since its launch in 2008.

“This is a great program helping to build the skills of the athletes of the future,” he said.

“Some of our kids in Kingsford Smith could be our next Olympians, Paralympians, tennis stars, football or netball professionals.’’

To be eligible for individual grants of $500 and $3000 for teams, Australians aged between 12-18 years must have to travel more than 250km to compete in endorsed state or national sporting competitions, or national school sport competitions. The grants can be used to meet travel costs, accommodation, uniforms or equipment. Grants are also open to young coaches, umpires and referees.

The program will continue to be administered by the Australian Sports Commission, the Government’s primary national sports administration, funding and advisory agency.

Keeping children active was a key recommendation by the National Preventative Health Taskforce last year.

The taskforce outlined:

• About 25 per cent of Australian children are overweight or obese, up from an estimated 5 per cent in the 1960s
• Overweight and obese children and adolescents face the same health conditions as adults and may be particularly sensitive to the effects on their self-esteem
• It is predicted the life expectancy for children alive now will fall by two years by the time they are 20 years old if current obesity trends continue. This represents a loss of five to 10 years in life expectancy gains.
  

More details of the Local Sporting Champions program is available at www.ausport.gov.au or by contacting the Office of Peter Garrett AM MP on (02) 9349 6007.