$30,000 fraud allegations floor Tasmanian children’s sports governing body

A volunteer with one of Tasmania’s most well known and loved organisations for children’s sports has been hit with fraud charges.

NOT-for-profit sporting body Little Athletics Tasmania has been rocked after 46 charges were laid against a volunteer for allegedly misappropriating funds from the organisation.

Tasmania Police has confirmed to the Sunday Tasmanian that a series of charges have been laid against a 60-year-old woman.

Tasmania Police carried out an investigation into allegations about $30,000 had been defrauded from Little Athletics Tasmania.

“As a result of the investigation, a 60-year-old woman has been charged with 41 counts of fraud, three counts of fraud as a clerk and two counts of cheating,” a Tasmania Police spokeswoman said.

“These matters amount to approximately $11,500.

“The woman will appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court in November.”

Little Athletics Tasmania president Brett Johnstone confirmed the allegations but could not go into any details as the matter was now before the courts.

“Little Athletics Tasmania is aware of a matter concerning a former volunteer who is no longer with the organisation,” Mr Johnstone said.

“Upon identifying the issue, Little Athletics Tasmania reported the matter to Tasmania Police.

“We uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity and will not tolerate any behaviour that does not align with the values we hold dear.

“As the matter is now before the courts, we will not be providing any further comment at this time.”

Little Athletics Tasmania first started in the state in 1973 in Launceston.

It caters for children aged from just 3 to 15 years of age.

In its 2019 annual report, Little Athletics Tasmania said it has 2175 members across 19 centres throughout the state.

It recorded a $17,655 net loss for the past financial year after recording a $63,000 net profit the previous year, but the report said this loss was due to a change in accounting practices and a reduction in state sponsorship.

The national governing body, Little Athletics Australia, was also contacted for comment, but did not return the Sunday Tasmanian’s emails or phone calls.