MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday, 12 November 2020
Football Tasmania has welcomed the Government’s increase in its annual operational funding to $500,000 per year, putting the state’s most played sport on par with AFL and cricket.
“On behalf of the entire football community I would like to thank the Government for recognising the benefits the World Game brings to Tasmania and giving football a fair go,” Mr Bulkeley said. “Official Sport Australia statistics show close to 40,000 Tasmanians play football each year, and EMRS polling reveals one-in-five Tasmanian households are directly involved in the World Game. “As Tasmania’s most played team sport, it’s great to see football receive a fairer level of government funding in line with other major codes. “Football has always been an important part of the community, but what we’ve seen in recent years is an explosion in participation numbers, putting us at a disadvantage compared to other sports when it comes to providing everything our large player base needs. “This funding will put us in a better position to make sure anyone who wants to play football can play, increasing opportunities for Tasmanians to enjoy a healthy and connected life through sport.
Mr Bulkeley said with the possibility of training camps and matches for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup being held in Launceston, the funding came at an exciting time for football in Tasmania. “Women’s football has a strong history in Tasmania, and thanks to the hard work of so many dedicated individuals across the state, continues to thrive,” Mr Bulkeley said. “Being able to put our best foot forward as we prepare for having elite football on our shores will help us maximise the legacy benefit an event like the World Cup could bring to Tasmania, especially for women and girls. “Ultimately, this will assist Football Tasmania to reach our long-term goal of achieving a fifty-fifty participation split between male and female players and complete gender equality in football, cementing the World Game’s place as Tasmania’s Game.”
Media contact: David Abbott, Font PR, 0400 446 736