Page 106 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 11 February 2020
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
which was held on Friday, 7 February. This is the third fair that I have attended. The first one was held at Moncrieff Park, the second was held at the Gungahlin oval, and this one was held at Amaroo District Playing Fields. It was great to see so many local sporting clubs and recreation groups in attendance.
I would like to thank the organisers, Northside Community Service, who have reported a 30 per cent increase in clubs wanting to have a stall. This has been matched by an increase in the attendance, with over 500 people dropping in to talk to clubs and to try a few different activities. On offer there were a lot of traditional sporting clubs, such as soccer, basketball, softball, netball, AFL, NRL, hockey, tennis and volleyball, just to mention a few, and other sporting and recreational interests, such as martial arts, Oztag, calisthenics, dance, orienteering, Girl Guides, local gyms, and Mums Exercise Group Australia.
Lots of kids and families stopped by on their way home from school, and it was really heartening to watch people try an activity they have never done before. There was much on offer at that event. However, it was frustrating to hear, again, from the clubs and parents about the issues they face with affordability and access. We have heard loud and clear from residents about the impact that the rising cost of living in the ACTÂ is having: rental stress, rates stress, higher fees and charges, as well as increasing everyday expenses.
On average, the cost of kids participating in sports ranges from $1,000 to $1,500 per season, which includes things such as equipment, uniforms, fees and transport. And the cost is just one aspect; other barriers include time due to work and other family commitments, and a lack of appropriate options and issues around access and transport. Canberra as a community deserves better than this current tired Labor government, and that is why events like the Gungahlin sports and recreation fair are so great. It shows families what is possible and what options are available if clubs and families are supported to achieve their aspirations.
That is what I firmly believe the policy vision and objectives and targets within the Canberra Liberals sport and recreation policy, find your game, aims to achieve. The Gungahlin sports and recreation fair provided me with an opportunity to chat to clubs and families about our plan. Find your game has a specific target to increase participation for children and young people so that they continue to stay active throughout adulthood. We have an initiative to increase sport in schools and an initiative to help make sport more affordable for families. These are matters that can really make a difference for our local community.
In conclusion, it was great to talk to residents about these issues, and I look forward to providing Canberra families with a better choice come October 2020. The Canberra Liberals want to make Canberra the best place to live, work, and to raise a family, where more people can enjoy what is on offer at events like the Gungahlin sports fair. I would like to thank the organisers, Northside Community Service, and the volunteers for putting on such a great event. I look forward to attending the next event when it comes up.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video