Ball in sports’ court for survival funding

The door is now open for what could be sport-saving Tasmanian Government grants for the state’s sporting organisations shut down by COVID-19.

THE door is now open for what could be sport-saving Tasmanian Government grants for the state’s sporting organisations shut down by COVID-19.

The government last month announced $2 million in grant funding to help Tasmania’s peak sporting bodies survive and applications for tranche one of the grants program are now open to all Tasmanian sporting organisations and state disability sporting organisations­.

The focus of the first round of grants is to help maintain employment throughout Tasmania’s sporting associations

Sports Minister Jane Howlett said capped funding of $150,000 per sport will be made available to support salaries of employees who ensure the provision of sport product to the public, such as administrators, managers and development officers, for a period of six months.

Just about all Tasmanian sport has been cancelled or postponed with many being forced to lay off full-time, part-time or casual employees.

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“I want to again sincerely thank all Tasmanian sports organisations, including players, coaches, supporters and volunteers for their understanding and resilience during this difficult period,” Howlett said.

Football Tasmania pres­ident Bob Gordon said it was important for the government to act quickly and effectively to keep grassroots organisations viable while restrictions prohibited organised sport.

“The health and social benefits of community sport are second to none and there’s no doubt Tasmania’s 38,000 football participants are itching to pull the boots on and have a kick,” Gordon said.

“Football Tasmania thanks Minster Howlett and the Tasmanian Government for recognising the importance of community sport and for being the first state or territory in Australia to provide support to ensure players can get back on the park after the pandemic.

“This funding will allow organisations such as Football Tasmania to keep staff on while no sporting activity is taking place.

Visit www.communities.tas.gov. au/csr/Grants/COVID-19-sport-and-recreation-grants-program

For advice with applications, call 1800 252 476 or email [e-mail].

This program will close on Thursday April 30.