Election 2018: Liberal party pledges $12m funding to lower cost of school sport for families

THE Liberal Party has pledged a $12 million school sport funding injection to allow primary school children to play sport without blowing the household budget.

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THE Liberal Party has pledged a $12 million school sport funding injection to allow primary school children to play sport without blowing the household budget.

Families would receive sport vouchers of $100 towards membership and registration fees — double the current amount — if the Liberals win the election.

BIG HIT: Corey Wingard and Liberal candidate Carolyn Habib play cricket at Marion Sports Centre. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Martin

Opposition sport spokesman Corey Wingard said the policy would provide much-needed relief for families doing it tough.

“Having that $100 come off your sports fees is a real plus for young families and will really help with the cost of living,” he said.

“Junior sports and grassroots sports are so important to the fabric of our community and it’s important we give as many children as possible the opportunity to participate and be part of a club environment.”

The pledge comes just a week after the Sunday Mail revealed the strain that was being placed on household budgets by junior sport costs.

Marion Football Club’s Ben Porter welcomed the initiative and hoped it would attract more children.

“It’s a fantastic idea. Any thing that’s going to help parents support their kids to come and play footy or whatever sport it may be is a good thing,” Mr Porter said.

Sport Minister Leon Bignell said 148,800 vouchers had already been redeemed under Labor’s extended program..