The Hon Rod Kemp was Minister for the Arts and Sport from Friday 23 November 2001 to Tuesday 30 January 2007. This site is available for archival purposes only.

Sports Minister announces drive to boost number of young footballers

More Aussie kids will have a chance to kick the football around and get active as part of a major national initiative launched today by the Australian Government to attract young players to the world game.

The Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp today announced $800,000 over three years for the new TelstraFootball Anytime program which aims to increase the number of young football players at the grassroots level.

Launching the initiative at Federation Square in Melbourne, Senator Kemp acknowledged the support of Telstra as the corporate sponsor of the Football Anytime program, supported by the Football Federation of Australia (FFA) and the Australian Sports Commission.

“The Football Anytime program creates opportunities for children aged six to 12 to learn how to play the game, to develop basic motor skills and to get physically active,” Senator Kemp said.

“It allows children to play a new freer and simpler version of football where the emphasis is on creativity and flair and giving the sport a go in a fun, safe and structured setting.

“This program is critical in developing the football motor skills and the physical abilities of young players from an early age and also aims to spark their ongoing interest in the game. It provides a pathway for children to progress through to football competition, if they choose.”

Senator Kemp commended the Football Federation of Australia for its leadership and direction in steering reforms of the game, in facilitating a new era of professionalism with the introduction of the new national A-league and its initiatives to grow participation in football at the grassroots level.

“The Australian Government and Football Federation Australia are committed to boosting the participation of girls in sport. Football Anytime aims to attract an equal number of boys and girls to the program,” Senator Kemp said.

“This program is part of the Government’s overall strategy to develop partnerships with sports and business to increase the numbers of memberships and reach local sporting clubs.”

According to a national survey managed by the Sports Commission in 2003, football enjoyed one of the highest participation rates of all national sports.

Football Anytime provides kids with six one-hour sessions of activities, coaching instruction, training and development as well as a football pack.

This pack includes a backpack with a ball, witches hats, cones, bibs, a manual and other materials, which enables children to continue playing football on their own and with family or friends.

For more information about the Football Anytime program contact the FFA on (02) 8354 5555.

18 October 2005
Media contact: Michael Christo on 0409 040276 or 03 9650 7274