A CHARITY is helping local children stay involved in sport if their parents cannot afford to pay fees.
Team Sports 4 All has partnered with Kingston Council to launch the “Fair Play Project”. Council is helping the organisation identify children who need assistance to keep playing sport. The charity funds children signing up to sports teams for the first time, and helps them cover fees beyond the first season.
Team Sports 4 All director Cameron Dare said that the organisation had helped keep more than 100 kids involved with sport in the Kingston municipality so far. “Over 100 financially disadvantaged children will now be given the opportunity to participate in team sport at their local Kingston sporting club,” he said.
“These kids will experience improvements to both their physical and mental health, as they connect with their community in a really meaningful way. Team Sports 4 All will also continue to fund them for subsequent seasons of sport, for as long as they want to continue playing, and will support them throughout their junior sporting journey.”
The new program has received $30,000 through the federal government’s Play Well Participation grant program.
Kingston mayor Jenna Davey-Burns has praised the charity for its work. “Inspiring greater [sporting] participation in turn brings massive physical and mental health benefits and promotes a more connected and happy community,” she said.
“I am so proud that Kingston is working alongside such a passionate organisation as Team Sports 4 All to remove any barriers to participation and make sure all young people and families get a fair go at playing sports.” Children eligible for funding through the Fair Play Project must reside in the Kingston Council area, and be aged between five and 18. Applicants must have a current health care card or be a resident in government housing or refugee.
For more information contact Kingston Council youth services team leader Tanya Marques at tanya.marques@kingston.vic.gov.au.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 19th June 2024