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.
