Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region Jacqui Boydell MLC has welcomed news that two of the State Government’s hugely popular sporting and recreation programs – KidSport and Nature Play WA – would continue to be funded with $5 million allocated as part of the State Budget.
“The State Government is really proud of these innovative programs which have helped thousands of Western Australian children connect with sport, recreation, nature and play,” Ms Boydell said.
“KidSport has helped tens of thousands of children participate in sport while Nature Play WA has reconnected many youngsters with nature and the joy of unstructured play outdoors.”
The award-winning KidSport program helps eligible children aged 5 – 18 join a local sport and recreation club by offering a voucher of up to $200 a year for fees.
“To date, the State Government has spent $14.7 million in KidSport vouchers to encourage young people to be active and reap the many benefits of sport and active recreation,” Ms Boydell said.
That includes 286 children in the Pilbara who join the 54,500 children state wide who have become KidSport kids since the inception of the program in September 2011.
Approximately 63% of these children have become involved in a sport or recreation club for the first time because of the program.
“The important on-going relationship between the State and local government means eligible kids will continue being able to be part of a sport or active recreation club.”
Nature Play WA is a not-for-profit association established to increase the time Western Australian children spend in unstructured outdoor play and in nature.
“Nature Play WA celebrates children playing outside in nature and reminding us how good it feels to do something as simple as climb a tree,” Ms Boydell said.
To date, Nature Play WA has distributed more than 201,211 of its activity passports which are filled with fun and adventurous nature-based missions for children to complete.
To learn more about KidSport: http://www.dsr.wa.gov.au/funding/individuals/kidsport or Nature Play WA: www.natureplay.org.au.
For media enquiries contact Jacqui Boydell on 0427 990 303 or email Jacqui.Boydell@mp.wa.gov.au
