Ticket to Play relaunch welcomed by Football Tasmania

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The Tasmanian Government’s relaunch of the Ticket to Play program has been commended by Football Tasmania.

The initiative, which was announced last Friday by Minister for Sport and Recreation Jane Howlett, is designed to reduce the cost of participating in club sporting activities for Tasmanian children. The ultimate objective of the program is to increase the number of young Tasmanians playing sport.

Applicants seeking vouchers must be a resident of Tasmania, aged between 5 and 18 years old at the time of applying and listed on a valid Centrelink Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card (either their own or their parent, guardian or carer’s) or be in Out of Home Care.

Vouchers can be put toward the cost of club membership or registration fees at sport or recreation organisations who meet certain eligibility requirements. Approved Activity Providers can be searched here.

Sporting clubs and organisations are eligible to be registered as Approved Activity Providers if they are incorporated, not-for-profit entities, have appropriate processes in place to ensure compliance with the Working with Vulnerable People 2013 Act and if they have completed the Ticket to Play Child Safety Survey.

Football Tasmania CEO Matt Bulkeley acknowledged the Ticket to Play program as a surefire way to help make community sport more accessible.

“We know cost can be a barrier to sports participation access for many families, and we congratulate the Government for continuing to address this issue so that more Tasmanians can reap the benefits of playing sport,” Bulkeley said.

“Playing sport, especially for children, has a wide range of benefits which extend far beyond physical health and it’s important every Tasmanian child can access them.

“We have seen a huge up-take of Ticket to Play participants in our clubs since the program was introduced and are looking forward to welcoming even more players to Tasmania’s favourite sport next season.”

Jane Howlett elaborated further by stating: “The program reduces the cost of eligible children’s participation in sport through the provision of vouchers to reduce registration costs.

“Under the 2020-21 program, more than 14,000 vouchers were issued and applications for Ticket to Play 2021-22 are now open until 31 May 2022.

“Playing sport and being physically active when young is key to establishing lifelong healthy habits. It also improves mental health, fosters social skills, promotes teamwork and helps to develop leadership skills.”

The Ticket to Play website can be accessed here.

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Football NSW announce price freeze for junior and youth players

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Image Credit: Football NSW

Football NSW has announced a fee freeze for junior and youth community players in 2027, continuing its pledge to keep the game accessible for everyone across the state. 

In addition, senior players aged 19 and above will see their registration fee increase by just $1.50. Both junior and youth player fees will remain the same at $54.43, whilst senior members will pay $107.50.

The fee freeze highlights Football NSW’s commitment to keeping the game financially convenient for both players and families. 

Football NSW CEO, John Tsatsimas, said via Football NSW, “Football is the game of the people, and we recognise the importance of keeping participation accessible for families across our state. By freezing our registration fees for junior and youth players in 2027, we are continuing to support the next generation of footballers and help ensure that cost is not an unnecessary barrier to participation.”

The decision comes following similar price freezes at Football Queensland and Northern NSW Football in 2025. 

Despite the governing bodies acting separately, their unity on maintaining affordability throughout the game is a welcome sign. Managing to keep fees at an fair rate for families is a key component in sustaining grassroots football across the country.

“We have worked hard to manage the pressures facing the game, particularly around insurance, while ensuring Football NSW can continue to deliver the services and support our clubs, associations and participants expect,” said Tsatsimas. 

Despite the cost of living crisis, it is important that the game remains accessible for everyone. Football NSW have identified that even during tougher financial times, they can keep it that way. 

Through diligent financial handling, especially with care surrounding insurance and inflation (more of which can be read here), they are prioritising the game long-term over a short financial gain.

This fee freeze will directly impact the senior players and the families of younger members, too. The decision makes football not only more accessible, but provides more opportunities for players to strive for the highest levels of the game. 

Football Victoria demands more Victorian Government support amid grassroots boom

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Marlborough Street Reserve. Credit Football Victoria

Football Victoria is targeting Victorian Government funding for Glen Eira FC, in order to improve the club’s facilities and accommodate a recent surge in participation.

The interest and demand in football across Melbourne is ever growing, and Glen Eira FC is one such example.

Located in Melbourne’s inner south-east, the club has more than 1,100 players with nearly 95% of them aged 18 or under. In the suburb of Bentleigh alone, football participation has increased 18% alongside female engagement growing 76% in recent years.

However, at Marlborough Street Reserve, the conditions of the pitch – specifically during winter – can curb accessibility. Wet weather, non-stop usage and limited capacity make it difficult to accommodate all club members. This results in restricted training and playing opportunities.

Lachlan Cole, Football Victoria’s Head of Government Relations & Facilities, said via Football Victoria: “The story at Glen Eira FC is one we are seeing right across Victoria and specifically in Metropolitan Melbourne. Participation is growing, particularly among juniors, women and girls, but the infrastructure needed to support that growth is buckling under the weight of demand.”

To tackle this, both Football Victoria and Glen Eira FC want to convert the existing pitch to a synthetic surface and provide improved lighting for the ground. This would create a more reliable environment for players and support the growing demand for football in that community.

Speaking to Football Victoria, Glen Eira FC President Odilia Wijburg said, “A new sporting precinct with a synthetic pitch would be a game changer, providing year-round access, supporting participation growth and creating a lasting community asset that will benefit local families for generations.”

These issues are not exclusive to just Victoria, but are instead seen nation-wide. Football NSW recently pledged over AUD 200,000 to three amateur clubs to help upgrade their facilities and support the local communities.

Despite the increased interest in the game, the lack of reliable infrastructure, especially in grassroots football, leaves not only local areas without proper facilities, but creates a complicated road for young players hoping to navigate to the top of the game. 

Without the support of the Victorian Government, grassroots football could suffer an underwhelming fate. If the game is not supported from the bottom, the top might not reap the rewards of the next generation. And if that happens, alongside local communities, both the domestic leagues and the international team may suffer.

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