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- 11 May 2004
Country Athletes Scheme
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Page: 8709
Mr NEVILLE NEWELL: I direct my question without notice to the Minister for Sport and Recreation. How is the Government supporting country athletes?
Ms SANDRA NORI: As all honourable members know, in less than 100 days the Athens Olympics will begin. No doubt it will bring back memories of our successful Games in 2000. Even though we hosted the Games four years ago the legacy lives on, not just in sport but in many other areas. It is worth reminding ourselves that the Games generated $6.1 billion in international publicity. Tourism expenditure of $6 billion put this city in the limelight as a convention and conference city.
Our international visitation rate since and including 2000 has been higher than it was in 1999, despite all the global disasters that have beset the tourism industry in the past couple of years. It is worth remembering that the Games sent a very strong investment and industry capability message to the world. Business outcomes worth $3 billion have included almost $2 billion in post-Games sports infrastructure and service contracts. More than $3 million has been secured in contracts, sales and investment by companies located in regional New South Wales.
For example, Multiplex is now building Wembley Stadium. There is no doubt that the London 2012 bid committee is looking to the Sydney Olympics as the benchmark. I am sure that companies and industries that offered their services to the Olympic Games bid in Sydney will be well placed to provide their services should the London bid be successful. The core business of the Olympic Games is sport, and there are many ways in which the State Government supports talented athletes to achieve their goals. The Country Athletes Scheme, a very successful program that is celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary, provides talented country athletes with the same developmental opportunities that are available to their city counterparts. It is a great leveller between the city and the country. This year the scheme distributed $230,000 to 311 athletes who represent 61 sports played in New South Wales.
Mr Barry O'Farrell: Name them!
Ms SANDRA NORI: I am about to. I will give honourable members the full list, if they wish. The mix includes archery, athletics, BMX, dance sport, fencing, gymnastics, karate, lawn bowls, disability sports, surfing, tennis, tenpin bowling, triathlon, volleyball, pony club and yachting. Thirteen young athletes from Tamworth, 10 athletes from Lachlan and 5 athletes from the Murray-Darling have benefited from the scheme. Previous recipients of the scheme include great Australian champions such as Petria Thomas, Zali Steggall and Melinda Gainsford-Taylor. Some 62 coaches and officials have been given a helping hand under the Country Coaches and Officials Travel Scheme to ensure that they have the best information and training possible to foster their sport in regional New South Wales.
Questions without notice concluded.
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