Help with travel costs for athletes

Cobar’s sports stars and teams, along with others from across Far West NSW, will be able to travel to games with ease thanks to a transport trial being introduced by the NSW Government.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads

Sam Farraway said the Western Region Sport and Active Recreation Transport Program will subsidise the cost of fuel, bus hire or other public transport on trips of 100 kilometres or more, saving money for families and clubs.

“This two-year pilot, which started on January 30 will help reduce barriers to participation in sport and active recreation, which local groups have identified as a challenge in the far west,” Mr Farraway said.

“When people have to travel hundreds of kilometres to play in a match or attend training for a representative side, the costs can be huge, particularly with the price of fuel at the moment.

“These are costs borne by players and their families, and subsidising their travel will help keep the pressure off household budgets and allow our young future sports stars to keep achieving their sporting dreams.”

President of the Cobar Swimming Club Simone Neyland said sport is important to towns like Cobar.

“Staying connected with sport and fitness is essential to the wellbeing of people, especially kids, but the distances to get involved can be huge and the costs can be a burden.

“I drive my son to swimming meets all over the western region and beyond,” Simone said.

“My nephew has to travel a long way to play in his rugby league competition, and there are many people who do this, so anything to help make these trips easier financially would be a huge help to many families I’m sure.”

The trial was developed after consulting with key groups.

Sporting teams, clubs, schools, and other not-for-profit organisations based in Cobar, Menindee, Wilcannia and Broken Hill can apply for assistance up to 14 days prior to attendance at an eligible competition or event.

The funding provided will be based on fuel costs and average fuel consumption by vehicle type, such as bus, mini-bus or car or the cost of a ticket on a public transport service such as train.

More information about the Western Region Sport and Active Recreation Transport Program is available at the Transport NSW website: www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/ programs/western-region-sport-and-activerecreation-transport-program