Jane Howlett,Minister for Sport and Recreation
Leonie Hiscutt,Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council
The Tasmanian majority Liberal Government is delivering its commitment to supporting more Tasmanian children and young people to participate in sport and be active.
Minister for Sport and Recreation Jane Howlett MLC said the Government's ground-breaking Ticket to Play initiative enabled more than 6,100 children and young people around Tasmania to participate in sport in the first year of the program, with 819 sport clubs registered statewide.
"Ticket to Play was established by our Government with a $3 million 2018 election pledge and is the State's first sports voucher program," Minister Howlett said.
"Ticket to Play removes the cost barrier for families, allowing more kids to get out there and have fun.
"The program has been so successful that we are committing an additional $1 million a year for four years to Ticket to Play in the 2020-21 Budget."
Minister Howlett said the wellbeing of Tasmanian children and young people is a big priority.
"Our Healthy Tasmania Five Year Strategic Plan 2016-2021 goal for Tasmania to be the healthiest population in Australia with an obesity rate lower than the national average by 2025."
Member for Montgomery Leonie Hiscutt MLC said the benefits of children being active early in life are significant and long-lasting.
"Getting kids into sport and active recreation helps to establish lifelong healthy habits, improves physical and mental health, and fosters teamwork and social skills," she said.
Ticket to Play helps alleviate the cost burden to families by providing vouchers worth up to $100 towards sports club memberships for children aged between 5 and 17 who are listed on a Pensioner Concession or Health Care Card, or who are in Out of Home Care.
