Sports dollars up for grabs

16 February 2018

LOCAL sporting clubs and fitness providers are being urged to sign on to the New South Wales Government’s Active Kids program to snaffle a share in the $207 million initiative.

Inverell Shire Council mayor Paul Harmon says many local clubs and gyms have not yet registered, meaning they are missing out on claiming a $100 cash back option for each child signing on for their programs.

Active Kids is a new initiative launched this year as part of the State Government’s quest to promote increased physical activity in kids by addressing barriers to participation.

The program offers a $100 voucher to parents for each child school-aged child between the ages of 4.5 and 18 years who sign on for sport and fitness activities, structured gym classes, competitions, and lessons.

“Clubs, non-profit organisations and also for-profit organisations are eligible to register as an Active Kids provider, which is done online”.

Families can use the voucher for registration and membership costs, as well as fees for activities such as swimming and dance. Importantly, the voucher is not means tested.

“Once providers are registered, it means parents can spend the $100 Active Kids voucher at their club or organisation – it can include everything from swimming and dance lessons, gym classes or fees to play winter or summer sport.”

Cr Harmon believes the initiative will be well received by parents and applauds the move to ease pressure on family budgets.

This week, Council has been reaching out to local clubs who have not yet signed up for the program.

“Certainly, our local cricket clubs are already registered, as well as the likes of Scouts, rugby union, soccer, and Little Athletics, but we know there’s many in the shire that are not”.

“I am keen to see local clubs bag their share of the dollars, so urge them to visit the website and register, which will take a matter of minutes”.

More details about the program and how to download your voucher is available at sport.nsw.gov.au/activekids or by phoning Service NSW on 13 77 88.

Further information about Active Kids:

Who can register to be a provider?

To register as a provider in the Active Kids program you must deliver a structured sport or activity program of at least eight weeks’ duration and be a:

• sporting club/association affiliated with a recognised State Sporting Organisation located in NSW, or
• for-profit or not-for-profit activity provider located in NSW.

All providers must hold a current ABN, ACN or Certificate of Incorporation and must not have any outstanding actions or enforcement orders recorded by the Office of Fair Trading. All providers must be approved by, and registered as an Active Kids provider prior to accepting vouchers.

Providers must hold appropriate skills, experience, or qualifications for low-risk activities and appropriate accreditation for high-risk activities, specifically swimming and fitness activities. Providers also need to hold Working with Children Check clearances for staff or volunteers, as required.

What can the voucher be used for?

The voucher can be used for registration, membership or participation fees for structured activities that provide a moderate to vigorous level of physical activity. For example:

• sporting pursuits
• swimming lessons
• structured fitness program
• outdoor education programs
• approved active recreation (dance etc)
• equipment ordinarily provided by the provider on registration for competition

Activities excluded from the program

Excluded activities include:

• programs that are less than 8 weeks’ duration
• gym membership that is not part of a structured program
• activities that are part of the school curriculum or conducted during school hours
• after-school care services and tutors
• school-run competitions, including weekend inter-school sports competitions or activities
• travel to and from competitions

How to register

Visit sport.nsw.gov.au/activekids. Read the Guidelines and Fact Sheets to learn if you are eligible, and the documents you will need to register.

Visit service.nsw.gov.au and create or log in to your MyServiceNSW Business Profile.

Register for the Active Kids program by entering your details, uploading your documents and activity program, then submit for approval.

You will receive confirmation Registration Approval online.

For more information call 13 77 88 or visit sport.nsw.gov.au/activekids

For further information contact:
Fiona Adams
Inverell Shire Council | PO Box 138 | Inverell NSW 2360
02 67288288 | Fiona.Adams@inverell.nsw.gov.au