FROM 1 January 2015, schools in the electorate of New England will be able to apply to take part in the Federal Government’s new $100 million Sporting Schools initiative announced in the 2014/15 Budget.

Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce said the Sporting Schools initiative would introduce more sport to a new generation of children in the New England.

“The exciting Sporting Schools initiative provides more of our children with an opportunity to participate in a range of sports, before, during or after school,” Mr Joyce said.

The initiative will directly link schools with sporting clubs to drive ongoing participation. Teachers will be able to access a range of training guides and coaching courses.

It will benefit around 850,000 children across more than 5,000 primary schools and 80 secondary schools across Australia.

On average, it is expected that each grant would be worth around $1700.

“The initiative will encourage our children to participate in physical activity and will foster a love of sport, helping tackle increasing levels of obesity among children in the process,” Mr Joyce said.

“I’m delighted with this initiative, which offers a way for children in the New England Electorate to have access to sport and start building regular physical activity into their lives.”

All schools throughout Australia will be able to register for Sporting Schools through an online, interactive website.