Media Release
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Wednesday, 15 March 2017 11:05
Margot Foster AM |
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Chairman of Vicsport, Margot
Foster AM said many community based sporting clubs are run on 'the smell of
an oily rag' to make ends meet.
"To have energy prices in an upward spiral with
no regulatory control as power generation facilities close down is a situation
where SPORT as an industry needs to be considered in overall energy policies
now under discussion."
Ms Foster said "It is important for Government to develop an energy policy with an adequate ongoing budget for Sport at both a Federal and State level to cope with increased energy costs.
"Every sporting club uses energy to maintain and operate their venues and those with night activities, using floodlights for example, for training for football, cricket, soccer, tennis, basketball and netball, all need some certainty with energy costs.
"Swimming pools and major sporting complexes, many run by local councils, are also significantly and adversely impacted by energy price hikes, which could result in councils and operators raising entry fees and membership costs.
Ms Foster said sport is not just about organising sporting events, it helps underpin Victoria's and Australia's health policies with healthy activity and is continually used to promote awareness of multiple health issues.
"Sporting clubs are also a vital network in dealing with social issues such as isolation, depression, mentoring of young people and the teaching of life skills of communication and teamwork."
Currently in Victoria over 3.25 million Victorians play sport or are engaged in active recreation which involves 580,000 volunteers, 100 Sporting Associations and 16,000 clubs. *1
Media Enquiries:
Ron Smith, Media Communications, Vicsport - Mobile: 0417 329 201
Reference:
*1 Valuing Sport and Recreation a framework for the
future background information
Victorian Government Department of Health and Human Services December 2016