SA’s $100 sports vouchers initiative expanding to include Scouts groups in 2024

The state government is set to expand its popular $100 sports voucher initiative in a bid to help families keep their kids active.

This year, both the Scouts and Girl Guides will be eligible for the SA government’s $100 sports voucher program. Picture: Ben Clark

Scouts and Girl Guides will be eligible for the SA government’s $100 sports voucher program for the first time this year.

The initiative, in its 10th year, provides families with a $100 voucher – per child aged up to Year 9 – to keep them enrolled in sports and recreational activities such as football, soccer, netball, swimming and gymnastics.

A record 88,749 vouchers were claimed in 2023 across 1253 providers saving families nearly $9 million.

Joshua, 11, and Annabelle, 7, Willson are among 5000 people enrolled in 90 Scouts groups across the state, including regional youths who are part of the Lone Scouts where there is limited access to Scouts groups.

Their mum Belinda Willson, 45, from Craigburn Farm, said the $200 in vouchers would save her family “a term’s worth of scout fees”.

“It’s a massive benefit for families, especially in the current economic climate,” Ms Willson said.

Annabelle and Joshua are among 5000 people enrolled in 90 Scouts groups across the state. Picture: Ben Clark

“It’s hard to keep up with family commitments and extra-curricular stuff for children, it just adds extra strain.

“So, I think with the $100 it’s going to be allowing more kids to participate who might not have been able to before.”

Ms Willson said the Scouts program had taught her children invaluable and “excellent life skills”.

“They’re so independent now since joining Scouts, we notice when we go camping by ourselves how much they can do independently rather than waiting for parents to jump in.

“They can actually do this for themselves which is really exciting to watch.”

Scouts pay a starting fee of about $400 a year – a $15 increase from 2023 – that varies between groups depending on the selected activities but it does not include additional camping fees.

Scouts SA Marketing manager Paul Williams anticipates an increase in enrolments now Scouts members are eligible for the sports voucher. Picture: Ben Clark

Scouts SA Marketing and Communication manager Paul Williams said he anticipated a boost in enrolments once the new term started this year.

“We have a number of parents with cost of living increases and interest rates hikes and everything over the last 12 months, they’ve actively said (the vouchers) are going to help them a lot this year,” Mr Williams said.

“It’s definitely going to help a large number of families across the state continue to give their children something active and getting them out, and off devices.”

Nearly 600,000 vouchers worth more than $48 million have been used since the program launched.

Recreation, Sport and Racing Minister Katrine Hildyard said the program “empowers young people to be active and involved in sports”.

“It’s so important that children and young people have those opportunities to be active, included and involved,” Ms Hildyard said.