Ansett Australia's decision to continue sports sponsorship welcomed

21/10/98

Sport and Recreation Minister Norman Moore has welcomed Ansett Australia's decision to continue its sponsorship of sports development in regional Western Australia.

Mr Moore was speaking at a sport development program 'thank you' breakfast at Perth Airport today.

"As a major sponsor of the Sydney 2000 Olympics, Ansett Australia has recently undertaken an extensive review of all its sponsorships," he said.

"Ansett Australia's decision to continue its sponsorship of sport development in the Pilbara, Kimberley and Goldfields regions shows clearly that it shares the State Government's commitment to country sport in WA.

"The partnership is an excellent example of Government and private enterprise working together."

Mr Moore said the Ansett Australia Sport Development Program had injected more than $350,000 into almost 50 different sporting organisations, giving direct benefit to 40,000 country athletes.

During the seven years the program had been operating, the Ministry of Sport and Recreation had conducted sports enhancement courses to improve standards of sports administration and coaching, as well as junior development and talent identification.

Mr Moore said the State Government was committed to its ambitious building and redevelopment program, which was seeing bigger and better sporting facilities emerging throughout WA.

He said the Country Sport Enrichment Scheme was one initiative of which he was extremely proud.

"The scheme will see $150,000 available each year to help sports take their stars to the country and for country areas to attract major sporting events," he said.

"It is a Ministerial initiative which is being developed through and run by the Ministry of Sport and Recreation.

"We have already seen the Perth Glory play in Bunbury and Geraldton and the Western Warriors against the South Australian Redbacks in a one-day cricket match in Kalgoorlie-Boulder.

"Recently the people of Broome had the chance to see the Sheffield Shield which was taken to the area by a party of Western Warriors in a trip funded by the Country Sport Enrichment Scheme.

"There also have been a host of coaching clinics as far afield as Port Hedland, Geraldton, Narrogin, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Kununurra, Roebourne, Tom Price and Paraburdoo.

"These have involved sports such as cricket, soccer, football, basketball and netball."

Mr Moore said other programs included the Sports Club Development Scheme and the Sports Lottery Fund country package which delivered funding to regional WA and recognised the contribution made by grass roots organisations.

Media contact: Hartley Joynt, Minister's office, 089 321 1444

Bob Figg, Ministry of Sport and Recreation, 089 387 9749