REFUGEES, SPORTING ACTIVITIES

Ms FOX (Bright) (14:55): My question is to the Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing. How has the state government assisted refugees and new arrivals to South Australia to become involved in sporting activities?

The Hon. M.J. WRIGHT (Lee—Minister for Police, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:55): The government recognises that some sectors of the community face financial barriers to participation in sporting and recreational activities. Programs funded through the Office for Recreation and Sport have had great success in breaking down these barriers, especially with regard to refugees and other new arrivals to this country.

Two outstanding examples of the work being undertaken by community sporting organisations come from the Move It grants program. The Grange Lawn Tennis Club received a grant to run a tennis bridging program for refugees which proved to be very successful. The program resulted in refugees from countries including Afghanistan, Burundi, South Africa, Liberia and Croatia receiving tennis coaching and enjoying participation through a local sporting club. Young refugees aged from nine years to teenagers participated in the program which provided pathways to participation in the local tennis competition.

Another example from this year's round of Move It grants is the Scoring Goals project run by Enfield City Soccer Club. Scoring Goals aims to break down barriers that prohibit disadvantaged communities from participating in organised sport through the provision of accessible programs, pathways training and sustainable sponsorships.

The focus on improving the opportunities for new arrivals has also been taken up by the Football Federation of South Australia, which recently received funding through the Statewide Enhancement Program and also the Lutheran Church of Australia, which was awarded funding to conduct a club linking program for refugees in the City of Salisbury. The funding of these programs shows the government's commitment to encouraging and increasing participation by all members of our community.