Information for Sport, Recreation and Cultural Activity Providers (clubs, organisations and individual providers) $200 Sport Voucher Scheme

The Northern Territory Government’s Sport Voucher Scheme is helping Territory families cover the cost of their children participating in sport, recreation and cultural activities. Circus Dust performing at the Alice Desert Festival - image courtesy of Red HOT Arts Central Australia Drum Atweme performing at the 2008 Alice Desert Festival - photo by James Spiers Learning footy skills

background On 10 April 2014, the Northern Territory Government announced an increase to the Sport Voucher Scheme (the Scheme) from $75 to $200 per year for every enrolled school aged child across the Northern Territory. The Scheme was also expanded to include recreation and cultural activities. The $200 annual assistance, available from 1 July 2014, is for eligible costs associated with the participation in sport, recreation and cultural activities. Funding assistance is provided to both urban and remote school-aged children. The urban and remote models are different in their approach and application. Cultural organisations and individual artists and providers of arts and cultural activities can now apply to become a registered activity provider for the redemption of sport vouchers.

Opportunities for Sport, Recreation or Cultural Activity Providers Increased participation numbers Increased income stream Increased membership Wider community inclusion in your programs Expansion of existing and development of new programs Increased profile in the community and remote areas Opportunity to connect with Territory school-aged children and make a difference in the community Opportunity to mobilise your activity programs into remote schools

Who is eligible to Register? An eligible activity provider is deemed to be a club, organisation or individual provider that offers a sport, recreation or cultural activity and has current public liability insurance and Northern Territory Working with Children clearances. Sport activity providers are defined as those administering an activity that has a national sporting organisation that is recognised by the Australian Sports Commission. Recreation activity providers are defined as those administering activities that require physical exertion with a focus on human activity and engage people in the purpose of relaxation, health and wellbeing or enjoyment. Cultural activity providers are defined as those administering cultural activities for the purpose of developing knowledge and skills, creating and expressing, maintaining and preserving culture and building a sense of identity, purpose and community.

Program/Activity Examples Sport Affiliated team sports (eg netball, AFL, hockey) Equestrian Martial Arts Lawn bowls Swimming Tennis Gymnastics Sailing Motor sports Recreation Scouts and Girl Guides Yoga Fitness Training Recreational fishing Rock Climbing Whip cracking course Cultural Art and craft workshops Music lessons Drama classes Literature classes Dance classes Visual arts Indigenous culture sessions Singing lessons Cultural walking tours

SPORT VOUCHER SCHEME - URBAN MODEL The Scheme provides every enrolled student in the Northern Territory from pre- school to Year 12 with two $100 Sport Vouchers. The $100 Vouchers are issued in July and January each year. The vouchers are redeemable until 31 May each year. Families decide where they wish to spend their Voucher across a range of activities provided by registered sport, recreation and cultural activity providers. Urban areas are designated as Alice Springs, Darwin, Darwin Rural, Nhulunbuy, Katherine, Palmerston and Tennant Creek.

Sport Voucher Inclusions – Urban Model Registration and insurance Membership Program fees / lesson fees Examples: a series of music lessons, rehearsal program for a performing arts production, fitness training program, art workshop, sports term fees Uniforms/costumes (when purchased direct from the registered activity provider) Examples: team uniforms, costuming for performances, activity clothing Equipment (when purchased direct from the registered activity provider) Examples: sports and recreation equipment, instruments, instructional books, music scores and scripts

Sport Voucher Exclusions – Urban Model Activities or programs that are part of the school curriculum or take part during school hours Purchase of equipment or supplies by families direct from retail outlets Travel to and from competitions or performances Subsidising interstate and intrastate representation and tours Payments to activity providers which are not registered with the Sport Voucher Scheme

How to Register – Urban Model Application for registration is through the Department of Sport, Recreation and Racing online grant management system Grants-Tracker via Familiarise yourself with the Sport Voucher Policy “How to Guides” are available on the website – ‘How to Register for the $100 Sport Voucher Round’ Guide – ‘How to Create an Account’ Guide Required to upload a copy of current Public Liability Insurance and confirm Working with Children Clearance Applications are assessed in a timely manner and you will receive notification upon approval. All registered activity providers are listed on the Department’s website.

Accepting and Redeeming Vouchers – Urban Model Accepting Vouchers Registered activity providers can accept vouchers from families. You must retain the actual voucher which lists the name of the child redeeming the voucher and the name of the parent/carer and also retain a record of the services and goods the voucher has been claimed for. Redeeming Vouchers Voucher redemption is through the Department’s Grants-Tracker where you first registered. Refer to the ‘How to Redeem Vouchers’ guide available on the website at Payment is made within seven days.

SPORT VOUCHER SCHEME - REMOTE MODEL In remote areas the Scheme is administered through the local school. Funding of $100 per enrolled student is available for remote schools from July and January each year to apply for sport, recreation or cultural activities. Sport, recreation and cultural activity providers are encouraged to approach remote schools to explore opportunities to provide extra-curricular activities. Activity providers approved by the school to provide programs will liaise directly with the school for delivery and payment.

Sport Voucher Inclusions – Remote Model Delivery of sport, recreation or cultural activities or programs as per the definition. Examples: a series of music lessons, rehearsal program for a performing arts production, fitness training program, art workshop Costs associated with the delivery of a sport, recreation or cultural activity or program by the School, including equipment and uniform/costume costs School group travel to community or interschool sports, recreation or cultural facilities, festivals, programs or performances A number of the smaller remote schools may combine their Sport Voucher funding to conduct combined programs or activities

Sport Voucher Exclusions – Remote Model School programs that would have normally been paid for out of the school education budget School programs already established under the school curriculum Funding School Sport NT activities or providing subsidised travel support to School Sport NT activities Accommodation or food expenses for students Programs that only benefit a portion of the school cohort

Resources WEBSITE - DOCUMENTS: Sport Voucher Policy How to Guides - Create an Account; Register for the $200 Sport Voucher Scheme; and Voucher Redemption List of registered activity providers FAQs General information about the Scheme ASSISTANCE Hotline: Websitewww.sportvoucher.nt.gov.auwww.sportvoucher.nt.gov.au

Thank you for participating in the Sport Voucher Scheme Information Session. Questions?