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KidSport provides eligible children aged 5 to 18 up to $300 per financial year to cover club fees, ensuring cost is never a reason to sit on the sidelines.

Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport A/Executive Director Sport and Recreation Matthew Hayes said community-first funding strategies have helped to almost double voucher uptake in the Kimberley compared to the previous year.

“This past Financial Year the WA Government via KidSport provided almost $63,000 in funding through 349 vouchers to families in the Kimberley region, which is a massive jump from the previous year of $36,000,” Mr Hayes said.

“The groundwork laid by our regional officers to engage community members as advocates for KidSport has been instrumental in achieving these outstanding results.

“We are delighted to see a jump in participation, especially from teenagers, with sport a fantastic channel to promote community values and inclusion.”

This success started through a series of meetings with regional officers and community members that led to the engagement of new of support agents in the Kimberley region.

KidSport support agents work with families facing significant barriers, from extreme financial distress, displacement due to natural disasters, children in state care, and humanitarian entrants.

Fitzroy Crossing Officer in Charge Mark Howes blended his passion for footy into a development drive for the community, using his role as a KidSport support agent to enable more than 150 kids to participate in the local football club with the help of KidSport funding.

“It brings a whole community together, not just in Fitzroy Crossing but in the entire valley, who are here playing football, interacting and having a good time,” he said.

“We have a bus and pick the kids up no matter what, we’re always there, consistency is key for these kids to know we’re there to help.

“The kids get to know me as a person as well as a policeman, I think that definitely breaks down barriers.”

This boots on the ground approach continues to create equitable access and boosts KidSport’s mission to enable all children, regardless of their circumstances, to engage in sport and physical activity.