Norman Moore

Norman Moore

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    Government's country sport scheme wins top award

    15/11/2000 2:57 PM
     
    15/11/00

    A State Government initiative that takes top-class sport to country regions has received a major public service award.

    Sport and Recreation Minister Norman Moore said the Country Sport Enrichment Scheme had received a Premier’s Award for delivering real benefits to the people of regional Western Australia.

    The scheme, run by the Ministry of Sport and Recreation, won the award for Services to Regional and Remote Clients.

    Mr Moore, who initiated the scheme in 1998, said: “I have always been a passionate believer in the value of this scheme to regional communities throughout our State, but this high praise means that its profile will be further boosted.

    “This scheme not only gives thousands of country children and sports fans the chance to see their sporting heroes in action, but also to learn from them in coaching clinics.

    “Since the first event was held in Bunbury, a soccer match featuring Perth Glory, more than 35,000 people from Kununurra to Esperance have participated in the scheme.

    “So many young people in regional WA have been directly inspired to participate in sport by the achievements of the State’s top sporting men and women who have visited their towns as part of the scheme.”

    Highlights of the scheme this year include:
    • the Western Warriors cricket team playing the Victoria Bushrangers and South African side Natal in Broome;
    • the Wildcats’ three-week championship tour of the State (following their NBL victory);
    • four Westar rules football matches in Esperance, Karratha, Kununurra and Toodyay:
    • Evonne Goolagong-Cawley’s tennis coaching tour of Kalgoorlie, Geraldton and Esperance; and -
    • two Perth Glory matches with Sydney Olympic in Newman and Karratha.
    “The success of this scheme is partly due to the support of many local sporting groups throughout the State, and indeed many people in regional communities, because of the huge work involved in staging some of these tours,” he said.

    “Ministry staff throughout the 10 State-wide offices also do a magnificent job in organising the Country Sport Enrichment Scheme events.

    “And most importantly the sporting heroes who have been part of the tours deserve the highest praise, for embracing the scheme and bringing joy to thousands of people across the State.”


    Media contacts:

    Hartley Joynt, Minister’s office, 9321 1444
    Erin Broderick, Ministry of Sport and Recreation, 9387 9749.