ACTIVE CLUB PROGRAM

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:47): My question is to the Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing. How is the government helping to support the needs of our community-based sport and recreation groups?

The Hon. T.R. KENYON (Newland—Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, Minister for Road Safety, Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Minister Assisting the Premier with South Australia's Strategic Plan, Minister Assisting the Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education) (15:47): I thank the honourable member for her question and her keen interest in sport, particularly calisthenics. I saw her down at the victory of the Mighty Zulus hockey club at the weekend, when they won the metro men's first and second grade hockey. It was good to see.

One of the primary avenues through which the state government provides financial assistance to community-based sport and recreation organisations is through the Active Club Program. The Active Club Program is a fantastic—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! It is very difficult to hear the minister.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. T.R. KENYON: The Active Club Program is a fantastic opportunity for grassroots organisations to obtain financial assistance—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Members on my left will behave, and members on my right will not provoke them.

The Hon. T.R. KENYON: The Active Club Program is a fantastic opportunity for grassroots organisations to obtain financial assistance to strengthen and sustain active communities. Through this program, we are helping to make sure communities have the facilities they need to encourage healthy active involvement in sport and recreation.

I am happy to report to the house that, following this last round of Active Club grants, I have approved funding totalling more than $1.1 million to benefit 211 regional and metropolitan organisations representing a wide range of recreation and sporting activities. Amongst these were some great projects, such as new lights for the Whyalla Lions Soccer Club and the Crystal Brook Tennis Club; facility upgrades for the Hamley Bridge Bowling Club and Broadview Football Club; a new surface for the Bridgewater Tennis Club; and crucial sports equipment for Renmark Rowing Club and Lobethal Netball Club.

More than $21 million in Active Club funds has now been distributed across 4,000 grassroots organisations since 2002, providing an enormous boost to recreation and sporting activities throughout the state. This government is committed to supporting grassroots sporting clubs and organisations, and I once again urge all members to suggest to clubs and organisations that this is a fantastic grants program and they should apply.

I am also pleased to advise the house today that the second round of the Active Club Program for 2011 is now open, with a closing date of 24 October. I have recently written to all members informing them of this and would urge them to encourage all eligible groups in their electorate to apply for program and equipment funding of up to $10,000 or facility funding of up to $20,000.

I also take this opportunity to remind members that the 2011-12 Community Recreation and Sport Facilities Program (CRSFP) is currently open as well for any sporting groups in your electorates with bigger facility projects in mind. Individual grants of between $20,000 and $500,000 are available, with applicants required to match any funding through either cash contributions or in-kind work.

Many clubs underestimate the value of in-kind support, and I would encourage members to outline the value of in-kind support to their clubs in their applications. This year, a total $6.581 million is available through this program, making a significant impact on the quality of sports facilities available to kids and adults alike, right around the state.