Karting among Western Australian sport and recreation activities to receive funding

Albany City Kart Club is among the eight organisations sharing in $25,910 from the latest Western Australian Active Regional Communities Grants program. The funding has been allocated to provide opportunities for people in regional Western Australia to participate in sport and recreation activities, including capacity building projects.

Sport and recreation activities to receive funding include karting, cycling, swimming and basketball.

Albany City Kart Club received funding towards a race meeting anticipated to attract between 150-200 entrants and 600 attendees from across the State. The event will provide upskilling and capacity building opportunities for officials and coaches. The race meeting will improve the skills of young drivers ranging from 8-15 years old. Senior drivers will also benefit from exposure to this large, professionally run race meeting.

The Active Regional Communities Grants program aims to increase opportunities to meet the ever-changing demands and challenges of sport and active recreation groups within the nine diverse regions of the State.

WA Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman notes "Sport and recreation play an important role in the lives of people in our regional communities, so it is vital that opportunities are provided to encourage participation and support organisations.

"Some of our best athletes and competitors come from regional WA, and they often face extra challenges such as distance from events.

"Through the Active Regional Communities Grants and the North West Travel Subsidy Scheme, we are giving people living in regional areas access to opportunities to excel in their chosen sport and recreation activities.”

$6,300 from the North West Travel Subsidy Scheme has also been provided to three applicants: - Exmouth Amateur Swimming Club Inc (Geraldton Region); All Hedland Basketball Association (Karratha Region); and Carnarvon Amateur Swimming Club (Geraldton Region).

The North West Travel Subsidy Scheme encourages participation in identified sport and recreation activities for athletes living in the Kimberley, Pilbara and Gascoyne regions. The Scheme offers financial assistance to not-for-profit sport and active recreation organisations to help offset the costs of travel to inter-regional competitions and events.

Funding is always open for both programs through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries. More information about the grants and how to apply are available on the department's website

Image top: Credit: Albany City Kart Club