NT government dedicates $6m in sport vouchers to kids

Hundreds of dollars in sport vouchers are up for grabs, with the NT government assuring unused funds will not be redirected to public servant pay rises.

The NT government will dedicate $6m in funds as part of an ongoing scheme in getting kids involved in sport.

Every child enrolled in school from transition to year 12, including home-schooled children, can receive $100 vouchers twice a year.

The vouchers can be used at more than 350 registered sport, active recreation and cultural activity providers.

Children under five, or at the age of five but not currently enrolled in school, can apply for two $1000 Learn to Swim vouchers each year.

Sports Minister Kate Worden said the voucher scheme would ensure families could better manage the cost of activities.

Sport minister Kate Worden and Darwin Cricket Club president Morgan Yeo. Picture: Annabel Bowles

“Playing sport is an important part of a young person’s mental, physical and social development,” Ms Worden said.

“The Sports vouchers scheme helps families better manage the cost of these activities.

“Territory kids shouldn’t miss out on participating in an activity they love.”

Darwin Cricket Club president Morgan Yeo said vouchers were a boon for the NT and kids looking to get into sport.

“It’s a massive boost for sport in the NT, particularly with the increasing cost of living across Australia,” Mr Yeo said.

“It just helps families especially when sport for some households is not a necessity but instead a luxury.

“There has been a handful drop out, we’re experiencing it, and there’s many reasons including kids being forced to pick between two sports because of cost.”

It comes following reports nearly $2m in left over sport vouchers from last years rollout were used to bankroll a pay raise for public servants.

A Territory Families spokesman said at the time the money went towards a 2 per cent increase, however Ms Worden disputed the claim.

She said the money had instead been diverted to other sporting needs including the NBL1 Darwin Salties to help support the growth of the team.

“We make sure we’ve got enough money in this bucket so if any Territory kid walks into any club we’ve got enough to fund them trying sport,” she said.

“If we do have money left over at the end of the year we make sure we prioritise and reinvest into sports across the NT, for example we were able to give some extra support to the Salties last year.”

Applications close May 23, 2024 and can be made at grantsnt.nt.gov.au