Overview
The directorate, through Sport and Recreation, is responsible for the delivery of government’s sport and active recreation policies. This includes targeted funding programs, training opportunities and sector development that supports increased sport and active recreation participation for the ACT community. Sport and Recreation also supports local athletes to reach their potential through the ACT Academy of Sport, which 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
In 2018-19 the directorate:
- completed a feasibility study regarding a new ice sports facility in the Territory;
- finalised new legislation and commenced consultation on the development of associated regulatory practices for the conduct of combat sports in the ACT, including an ACT specific registration scheme and inspectorate function;
- progressed planning requirements for the development of the district playing fields at Throsby as a “Home of Football”, and secured partnership funding of $4.5 million through Capital Football and elite international match content (Socceroos and Matildas) as part of Football Federation Australia’s contribution to the project;
- finalised the Future Indoor Sports Facility Provision Feasibility Study and consideration of appropriate recommendations by government;
- formalised the Territory’s support to the Canberra Raiders for the establishment of a Centre of Excellence at Northbourne Oval;
- delivered a Women’s Sport Forum that inspired and educated participants while also highlighting opportunities in leadership, participation, and equity for women and girls in sport;
- built on further collaboration and partnership opportunities between the ACT Academy of Sport (ACTAS) and the Australian Institute of Sport as an outcome of their co-location, including shared medical resources to support scholarship athletes;
- through ACTAS, continued to provide performance service support for 115 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;
- implemented 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;
- delivered the 2018 CBR Sport Awards on 30 November 2018, with more than 90 award nominations and 350 attendees at the gala awards event held at the National Arboretum Canberra;
- assisted with the re-opening of Boomanulla Oval for formal sporting use in partnership with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body, Transport Canberra and City Services (TCCS), and the Community Service Directorate (CSD);
- distributed more than $2.4 million in community grants, including implementation of the Elite Women’s Coaching Scholarship Program which supported thirteen initiatives to a total value of $44,000;
- initiated a new Participation Innovation Fund which delivered $230,000 to seven initiatives that specifically target Canberrans under-represented in physical activity;
- delivered the sport and recreation component of the Commonwealth’s Indigenous Advancement Strategy, providing participation assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT and region and supporting new programs to increase physical activity engagement; and
- supported key community projects funded through the Sport and Recreation Grants Program including a new pitch maintenance machine at Hockey ACT, lighting upgrade at Red Hill Tennis Club, and an amenities block at the Lyneham Beach Volleyball facility.
CMTEDD met or exceeded its 2018-19 accountability indicators against this output, specifically:
- Number of nationally identified priority athletes supported by the ACT Academy of Sport – the target of 115 was met, with 115 scholarship holders in the reporting period; and
- Number of organisations funded to support participation opportunities in sport and recreation – the target of 80 was exceeded, with 99 organisations receiving support through the annual grants program. The increase of 24% is due to several new organisations receiving funding in 2018‑19 through expansion of the allocated budget to the Nature Play Grants and the Participation Innovation Fund.
Future Direction
In 2019-20 the directorate will:
- finalise regulatory practices for the conduct of combat sports in the ACT, and commence implementation of the Controlled Sports Act 2019, including an ACT specific registration scheme and inspectorate function;
- complete planning and design of the “Home of Football” in Throsby, including indoor courts for futsal, in partnership with Capital Football and the TCCS Directorate;
- progress further feasibility and preliminary design for new indoor sport facilities to meet the needs of Gymnastics and Basketball in the Belconnen region;
- seek Expressions of Interest from interested parties to design, construct, operate, own, and maintain a new ice sports facility in the ACT;
- work with the local sport and recreation sector on the development of a new strategic plan for sport, active recreation, and physical activity in Canberra;
- monitor delivery of supported initiatives under the Participation Innovation Fund to engage Canberrans that could be more physically active;
- further engage with the sport and recreation sector to identify and promote opportunities for inclusive sporting environments, notably respecting LGBTI inclusion as it pertains to sport and those working within the sporting organisation;
- support identified local athletes in their training and selection pursuits in the lead up to the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo;
- commence design for district playing fields in Stromlo;
- continue discussions regarding ACTAS extending its athlete servicing, with requisite financial resources from the Commonwealth to service the Canberra-based National Training Centre for national sporting organisations, heightening the profile of ACTAS as a national performance service provider of choice;
- finalise new Performance Partnership Agreements with Cricket Australia, the AFL and the Canberra Raiders to ensure hosting of elite sporting content in the Territory and associated community outcomes to support encouragement of participation; and
- implement a new Performance Sponsorship Program in support of Canberra’s elite teams participating in pinnacle national league competitions.
Further information can be obtained from
Kareena Arthy
Deputy Director-General
Economic Development
+ 61 2 6207 5564
Kareena.Arthy@act.gov.au
Rebecca Kelley
Executive Branch Manager
Sport and Recreation
+ 61 2 6207 4389
Rebecca.Kelley@act.gov.au