8000+ more Territorians accessing $200 Sports Voucher Scheme amid cost of living pressures

More Territory parents are making the most of a $100 sports voucher scheme as cost of living pressures put the squeeze on family budgets.

Alice Springs mum Carla Goodman speaking about the impact of the two $100 vouchers offered under the NT's Sports Vouchers Scheme. Picture: Zizi Averill

Territory kids’ passion for the field, court and competition will continue to be partially subsidised, as families feel the growing squeeze of cost of living pressures.

Alice Springs mum Carla Goodman was among the hundreds of spectators watching the Territory’s young netball stars hit the courts at Marrara stadium for the NT Link Netball Championships.

The mum-of-two said while the continued $200 Sports Voucher Scheme offered some relief, a single $100 voucher would only cover half of the registration fees at the start of the season.

“So it helps, and it does assist — but the cost of living is a crisis around the country that is unavoidable,” Ms Goodman said.

“You kind of need to look at offsetting, and if they stop growing then hopefully you can get two years out of a pair of shoes instead of one.”

Ms Goodman, who is also the Alice Springs Netball Association manager, said bringing players from the red desert up to the Darwin Championships meant girls had to sponsor their own trips.

“The cost to travel to play at this level can be expensive,” she said.

Sports Minister Kate Worden speaking with NT Netball president Catherine Sanson about the impact of the two $100 vouchers offered under the NT's Sports Vouchers Scheme. Picture: Zizi Averill

Sports Minister Kate Worden acknowledged the cost of living stress, saying the two $100 vouchers would allow young Territorians to access the sports they love, and even try out a new game.

In the past 10 months 35,971 sports vouchers have been issued, 8844 more than the vouchers allocated in 2022-23.

This year’s second round of $100 vouchers reopens on July 1.

While celebrating the sports vouchers among the $200m cost of living budget package, Chief Minister Eva Lawler acknowledged that there were some financial pressures out of her hands, including the national inflation rate and freight costs.

Chief Minister Eva Lawler and Sports Minister Kate Worden speaking about the impact of the two $100 vouchers offered under the NT's Sports Vouchers Scheme. Picture: Zizi Averill

“We’ve focused on the levers that we could pull,” she said.

Ms Lawyer said on top of existing power subsidies, worth about $400 a household, the latest budget allocated an additional $55m to limit bill inflation.

Ms Lawler also pointed to limiting increases to vehicle registration costs, while a $50 bonus was given in the Back to School vouchers and seniors.

In early May Northern Territory Council of Social Services chief executive Sally Sievers said despite the cost of living crisis, the latest budget was mainly “maintaining the status quo” by offering general concessions.

“They’re great for the whole community, but they’re not targeted at those most disadvantaged,” Ms Sievers said.

Anglicare NT has reported a 21 per cent increase in calls from Territorians to the National Debt Hotline in 12 months, with 959 calls in the first two months of 2024.