The Tasmanian Liberal Government is working to get more young Tasmanians active, which is why I’m extremely pleased to relaunch Ticket to Play for 2021-22.

As part of our first 100 day plan, we have delivered on our 2021 election commitment to double the value of the Program and are providing $200 in vouchers to help eligible children become involved in sports and activities by investing an additional $3 million over three years.

Cost is one of the major barriers to children playing organised sport and Ticket to Play is increasing the number of young Tasmanians playing sport by breaking down that barrier.

The program reduces the cost of eligible children’s participation in sport through the provision of vouchers to reduce registration costs.

Under the 2020-21 program, more than 14,000 vouchers were issued and applications for Ticket to Play 2021-22 are now open until 31 May 2022.

Two vouchers worth up to $100 each towards sporting club membership, as well as Scouts, Guides and Cadets, are available to Tasmanian children aged five to 18 years who are listed on a valid Centrelink Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card or who are in Out of Home Care.

There are more than 800 approved activity providers around the State and vouchers can be used for registration at two different activity providers, or both vouchers can be used at a single activity provider.

Participants can use one voucher for a summer sport and the other for a winter sport, or use one voucher for a favourite sport and the other to try a new sport.

The key objective of Ticket to Play is to increase the number of young Tasmanians participating in sport and getting active.

Playing sport and being physically active when young is key to establishing lifelong healthy habits. It also improves mental health, fosters social skills, promotes teamwork and helps to develop leadership skills.

I encourage all parents, guardians and carers of eligible children to visit the Ticket to Play website – www.communities.tas.gov.au/ticket-to-play – to find out more information about the program, find a club to join and apply for a voucher.