State sporting associations get multi-million dollar boost, Waldron
Author: Terry Waldron
Published on: 14-July-2011
More than $6million in grants to State sporting associations (SSAs) have been announced by Sport and Recreation Minister Terry Waldron.
This represents a $1million increase to the amount granted last year and Mr Waldron said changes designed to cut red tape now meant the process is more ‘sport friendly’.
“Instead of a yearly turnaround, the grants are now largely provided on a three-year basis and several different programs have been included into the one grant agreement,” he said.
Chief executive of Football West Peter Hugg welcomed the more simplified approach.
“Anything that simplifies applying for and acquitting grants is a major step forward given the many challenges that sports bodies currently face,” Mr Hugg said.
“The Minister is to be commended for this initiative as it will enable us to plan more effectively and, with the knowledge that funding is committed for the next three years, we can spend the money the best way we see fit, in line with our strategic plan and the objectives and outcomes agreed with the department.
The grants are the key part of the Department of Sport and Recreation’s Organisational Sustainability Program (OSP). The OSP is aimed at ensuring SSAs are provided with the resources to manage their sports throughout the State.
“With more than 5,000 sports clubs in Western Australia, it is essential our sporting associations play a leading role in governing sport at the grass roots level,” the Minister said.
“Government’s role is to help give the SSAs the tools to be able to do this valuable work.
“While we have more than doubled the amount of money for community facilities ($9million to $20million) it is essential to support the human infrastructure that makes sport work.
“As society becomes more complicated it is important that our sporting organisations and the people who work for them are trained and resourced to help us achieve the great community benefits that sport provides.”
