Output 3.3 Sport and Recreation

Output 3.3 Sport and Recreation

Overview

The directorate is responsible for the delivery of Government’s sport and active recreation policies, including targeted funding programs, training opportunities and sector development that supports increased sport and active recreation participation for the ACT community. Active Canberra also supports local athletes to reach their potential through the ACT Academy of Sport (ACTAS), manages the Territory’s support scheme for elite sporting teams, and works with a range of stakeholders in identifying and progressing future facility needs.

Highlights

During 2017-18, the directorate:

• through ACTAS, continued to provide performance service support for 103 nationally identified ACT athletes from Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sports. Performance services include: coaching, strength and conditioning, psychology, nutrition, sports science and sports medicine coordination;
• successfully transitioned sportsgrounds operations and aquatics management to Transport Canberra and City Services and ACT Property Group respectively, while continuing Active Canberra’s direct leadership and engagement in key projects such as Narrabundah Ball Park, Stromlo Forest Park and Gungahlin future facility developments;
• delivered the 2017 CBR Sport Awards on 1 December 2017, with more than 40 award nominations and 350 attendees at the gala awards event held at the National Arboretum Canberra;
• distributed  more than $2.4 million in community grants, including implementation of the Women’s Sport and Recreation Participation and Leadership Program which supported nine initiatives to a total value of $100,000;
• established through the Nature Play network, support for Outdoor Classroom Day held on
  7 September 2017, with over 80 local schools and early learning centres embracing the opportunity to showcase or experience outdoor learning opportunities;
• developed new guidelines for Female Friendly Sporting Infrastructure to create safer and more welcoming environments for female participation, with the guidelines already having been applied at new or upgraded amenities at Dickson, Melrose and Gowrie;
• launched the strategic partnership with Her Canberra to create an online portal that promotes and tells the story of women’s participation, linking providers and events. In the first six months from launch in October 2017, “Her Canberra Active” published 40 articles and received almost 99,000 total visits;
• had four current ACTAS Scholarship holders and 16 graduates participate in the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in sports ranging from badminton and basketball through to cycling, hockey and para-triathlon;
• supported the staging of a first-round Fed Cup tie (Australian and Ukraine) at the Canberra Tennis Centre in February 2018, an event secured through past Active Canberra funding agreements in support of the Canberra Tennis Centre’s redevelopment;
• delivered the sport and recreation component of the Commonwealth’s Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS), providing participation assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT and region and supporting new programs to increase physical activity engagement;
• initiated new longer-term performance fee agreements for the Canberra Capitals (Basketball) and Canberra United (Football), while also working in partnership with the University of Canberra and ACT Property Group to establish the National Convention Centre as the new home court for the Capitals;
• furthered development of new legislation to ensure safety and compliance for the conduct of combat sports in the ACT, completing further sector consultation on a draft Bill in June 2018; and
• completed key community projects funded through the Sport and Recreation Grants Program including a significant redevelopment of the Kippax Tennis Club and the Disc Golf course at John Knight Park. Footage promoting the Disc Golf course attracted 67,000 views on the ACT Government’s Facebook.

The directorate has two accountability indicators against this output, both of which were met:

• Number of nationally identified priority athletes support by the ACT Academy of Sport - the target of (100) was exceeded, with 103 scholarship holders in the reporting period; and
• Number of organisations funded to support participation opportunities in sport and recreation - the ACT the target of (80).

Future Direction

In 2018-19 the directorate will:

• through the delivery of targeted sessions, provide inspiration and guidance to ACT-based schools and activity providers to more capably and confidently delivery nature play-base activities in community or school settings; completion of a feasibility study regarding a new ice sports facility in the Territory;
• deliver a Women’s Sport Forum that inspires and educates participants while also highlighting opportunities in leadership, participation and equity for women and girls in sport;
• finalise the Future Indoor Sports Facility Provision Feasibility Study and provide to government for consideration of the recommendations;
• formalise Territory support to the Canberra Raiders for the establishment of a Centre of Excellence at Northbourne Oval;
• build on further collaboration and partnership opportunities between ACTAS and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) as an outcome of their co-location;
• as part of a new AIS structure and focus, continue discussions regarding ACTAS extending its athlete servicing, with requisite financial resources from the Commonwealth;
• enact new legislation and associated regulatory practices for the conduct of combat sports in the ACT, including an ACT specific registration scheme and inspectorate function;
• progress the planning and design requirements for the development of the district playing fields at Throsby; and
• implement key recommendations from the Elite Sports Funding Review completed in early 2018, individually customising and better aligning performance and community activations of our elite teams with key government priorities.

Further information can be obtained from

Kareena Arthy
Deputy Director-General
Economic Development
+ 61 2 6207 5564
Kareena.Arthy@act.gov.au

Rebecca Kelley
A/g Director
Sport and Recreation
+ 61 2 6207 4389
Rebecca.Kelley@act.gov.au