Australia

December 28, 2004

THE West Australian government has announced a $22 million package to help secure the future of football, netball and hockey in the state.

The biggest winner is the West Australian Football Commission (WAFC), which has been told that the government's $14.5 million portion of the debt left from the redevelopment of Subiaco Oval will be paid off early.

State sports minister Bob Kucera said the government had decided to retire its share of the debt early, in a bid to help the WAFC with the financial management of the stadium, which is home to both the state's AFL clubs.

The money had been due to be paid over about 14 years.

“Sports provide much more than enjoyment to players and entertainment for aficionados - there are health benefits, sport provides role models, it allows young people to develop to their fullest potential and is an industry in itself,” Mr Kucera said.

The government has also agreed to pay up for more than $3 million owed on the improvements to the Perth Hockey Stadium in Bentley, which was refurbished ahead of the 2002 Women's World Cup.

WA's biggest participation sport, netball, has been granted $5 million over the next two years to kick-start plans to establish a state training centre.

“While each of the packages helping these sports is different, what they have in common is they demonstrate the government's commitment to underpinning the long-term future of our sporting organisations in the state,” Mr Kucera said.

Today's announcement comes after the government announced last week that the struggling WA Cricket Association would receive a $5 million conditional state government grant, to help it wipe out crippling debt.

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