Amazing News

Over here at Northernwitch, we absolutely LOVE the idea of funding for grassroots sport. We hope to see much more of the same in the furure, and also wish that Canada would get on board. According to surfing sources, millions of dollars have been poured into surfing, and especially for programs specifically targeting aboriginal and white youth, and for an international headquarters of surfing sport. A perfect ten.

Sports benefit from new govt funding
Ian McCullough and Laine Clark
November 26, 2010

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AAP

Cricket, AFL, netball and gymnastics are among the big winners in the federal government's announcement of an $11 million increase in funding for sport participation.

Cricket, AFL and tennis will each receive $750,000 - the highest amount given to any individual sport.

And the success of world gymnastics champion Lauren Mitchell, has been reflected in a rise of almost $400,000 in funding with netball also benefitting to the tune of $700,000.
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Gymnastics Australia chief executive Catherine Clark said the increased funding would allow a range of participation programs and new initiatives to be rolled out nationally.

"Gymnastics is much more than just the elite end and we have over 500 clubs who are ready to open their doors to increased participation opportunities across our Gymnastics for all program," Clark said.

"And importantly this will include strategies and resources to engage schools and school-aged participants."

Netball Australia CEO Kate Palmer also welcomed the announcement and said it would be a huge injection for a sport that relies so much on the help of volunteers around the country at grassroots level.

"This funding allows us to initiate programs that will pave the way for the continued growth and health of our game," Palmer said.

The funding changes are a result of the Crawford Report released earlier this year.

Federal Sports Minister Mark Arbib said sports participation was critical to the country's future and would help reduce obesity rates.

"Young people have so much to gain from regular exercise and playing in organised sport," Arbib said.

"This option is going to 29 national sporting organisations to assist them to get more parents playing sport, it's also going to improve their coaching, improve administration and supporting volunteers.

"The selection was done on a bid process through the Australian Sports Commission, the national sporting organisations put together some competitive bids."

Football ($700,000), hockey ($500,000), surfing ($500,000) and basketball ($500,000) have also benefitted.

Surfing Australia CEO Andrew Stark said the new significant funding increase would revolutionise the sport nationally.

"This new money is the single biggest opportunity surfing has ever had to really make a difference and progress the sport in the areas of grass roots participation development right through to high performance," Stark said.

"We look forward to now taking our sport to new heights Australia-wide through this new funding initiative."

However, there were some losers in the announcement with athletics handed a negligible increase of just $3,600, while boxing, rowing and canoeing were among a clutch of Olympic sports to receive no funding.

© 2010 AAP