Queanbeyan families will have a little extra cash in their pockets for children’s sport following Tuesday’s New South Wales budget.
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The Coalition government introduced an active kids rebate for families to claim $100 per school-age child for sporting costs.
The initiative, which has $207 million in funding promised over four years, “aims to reduce cost of living pressures for families,” minister for sport Stuart Ayres said.
“It supports the premier’s priority to reduce overweight and obesity rates of children by five per cent over 10 years,” he said.
Keeping kids involved in organised sport was a major expense for families, but the rebate now offers one option to alleviate costs.
Mother of two Renae Codey said any assistance would go a long way.
“It’s not a large amount but every little bit does help,” Ms Codey said.
“If you have more than one child it can become quite costly, and if they do more than one sport too.
“It’s not just the fees that you pay, any gear they may need, there’s always an extra charge.”
Queanbeyan Blues secretary, Robert Reeves, said it was an initiative the club would support.
“We have kids from all different family backgrounds, some doing well others not so well,” he said.
“We would certainly go ahead with it [supplying the rebate]. Without a doubt.”
He admits there are families each season who struggle with payments to register their children with the club.
While the Blues’ tend to discuss payment options with those families so children aren’t missing out on sport, Mr Reeves said many families would apply for the rebate.
NSW residents would be able to apply online for the rebate once it was up and running in early 2018.
A voucher would then be provided to families to claim the rebate with a range of sporting clubs and institutions.
While that process may turn some parents off, Ms Codey, whose family spends more than $300 per season in registration fees alone, felt it would be worthwhile.
“Having two children, I would follow it up because I think it would definitely help.”
“It costs us a fair bit, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.”