FEDERAL Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce is calling on New England Electorate schools, clubs and coaches to sign up to Sporting Schools, the Abbott Government’s new initiative to get more kids being active and healthy.

 

Mr Joyce said individuals and sporting groups could now register at the new Sporting Schools website for Australia’s largest school-based participation program prior to its roll out in July 2015.

 

“I urge schools, clubs and coaches to register at the website prior to July to ensure they benefit from the Abbott Government’s $100 million Sporting Schools' programme,” Mr Joyce said.

 

“We know it’s vitally important that we help children in the New England Electorate develop healthy and active habits early in life.”

 

On registering, schools can nominate a Sporting Schools coordinator who will be kept informed through email updates of any new programme features.

 

The online platform will allow schools to pick sporting programmes for their students and help them find and link with local coaches and sporting organisations.

 

Teachers can also register individually to receive access to coaching plans and tools to help them plan and run activities outside of Sporting Schools’ practical sessions.

 

In addition, from May 2015 schools can apply for grants on the Sporting Schools website. Coaches can also now register their interest in being a part of Sporting Schools through the website.

 

Sporting Schools pilot programmes involving 12 sports will continue to be rolled out over the next few months, with the programme to include more than 30 sports in total from July 2015.

 

Sporting Schools, through National Sporting Organisations, will work with those interested in gaining coaching qualifications as well as existing coaches who want to be a part of the programme.

 

More information on Sporting Schools can be found at www.sportingschools.gov.au