Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing Corey Wingard said the implementation of the new grant program is in response to the Marshall Government’s Game On: Getting South Australia moving initiative, where grant applicants must work with at least one other organisation to deliver their project.

“Game On has highlighted that a coordinated collaborative approach must be adopted across all stakeholder groups if we’re going to shift the dial on activity levels in South Australia,” Minister Wingard said.

“Through the Partnerships Program, we’ve successfully brought together sport and recreation stakeholders, government and non-government bodies, and the for-profit and not-for-profit sector, to build a more active state.

“Currently in South Australia, only 26% of children and 14% of youth meet the physical activity requirements of 60 minutes per day – this is a shocking statistic and a problem that needs to be addressed.

“To improve the health and wellbeing of our young people and reduce pressure on our health services in the years to come, we’ll be targeting initiatives that’ll buck this trend.”

One of the projects which has been awarded funding is the development of an innovative junior cricket and surf education program which will be delivered by the South Australian Cricket Association (SACA), Surf Life Saving SA (SLSSA), City of Holdfast, Adelaide Nepalese Cricket Association (ANCA) and Muslim Australian Connection of SA (MACSA).

SACA Diversity and Inclusion Manager Matt Lucas said the aim of the project is to introduce new markets to both cricket and surf life saving in a fun and engaging way, with ongoing participation opportunities in local clubs for both sports being encouraged.

“SACA would like to thank the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing and Surf Life Saving SA for their support of this wonderful project,” Mr Lucas said.

“Beach cricket and the SLSSA programs will together make a real difference in the active and healthy lives of our new migrant communities.”

Not-for-profit organisation MAS National Limited was also successful in their application for funding to run the ‘fit for work’ program with SEDA College, Lacrosse SA, Headspace, Career Employment Group, One Culture Football, Anglicare SA, Job Prospects, and Interact.

Program Coordinator Paul Kitchen said the project will engage with unemployed non-active individuals who sit within the demographics of people aged 13-25 and over 45 years.

“The program is about bringing different groups together with shared priorities and building strong partnerships that allow individuals to become more active, gain confidence and therefore achieve meaningful employment,” Mr Kitchen said.

“Providing the ‘fit for work’ program to individuals takes collaboration of multiple organisations – it’s all about pulling together resources from other areas to ultimately drive positive social and economic outcomes for our state.”

A secondary stream of funding has also been awarded to nine State Sporting Organisations (SSOs) through the Partnerships Program, to support SSOs in delivering their performance pathway program so South Australian high-performance athletes can achieve their potential at an elite level.

The Marshall Government has committed more than $390 million to support the delivery of sporting infrastructure works and programs encouraging increased participation in physical activity.

This is a media release from the Government of South Australia, Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing.