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In her first address as Federal Minister for Sport, Anika Wells has today addressed the National Sports and Physical Activity Convention (NSC) in Melbourne, setting her initial thoughts on the new Federal Government’s agenda for the next decade and the focus of major events and local participation.

In a late addition to the NSC program, Minister Wells explained that “sport will help achieve many objectives of the Australian Government”, stating “this is a unique period for sport in Australia, and we want to make the most of it.

“Our priorities in government will include improving the physical health and wellbeing for Australians through increased physical activity.”

With Australia set to host a mass of sporting events over the next decade, Minister Wells advised “we know that before and after these major sporting events, there will be increased sports participation, so we'll support sustainable infrastructure investments to support this growth.

“We want to enhance our international reputation and our influence … (to) enhance sporting integrity to allow confidence that all Australian sport is inclusive, safe, and fair is a key priority of mine.

“And finally, we want to promote stronger communities through inclusion of minority groups by improved access to sport and to fitness sport is at the heart of the nation's spirit.”

With Australian Sports Commission Chief Executive Kieran Perkins having spoken at the start of the NSC on Monday, Minister Wells indicated how she felt the pair’s experience would be complementary in delivering outcomes, citing Perkins’ elite sporting experience and her own experiences at a community level as a parent and local organiser of Parkrun events, suggesting they are “a balanced pair”.

Addressing the legacy issue of major events, Minister Wells also spoke of the “fantastic opportunities to boost and inspire more community participation in sport, which we all know has declined during the pandemic.

“So we now have an amazing opportunity to reengage our kids and get them back playing with their friends at our local sporting clubs. That is why we are investing in community initiatives to support sports participation, like the Australian Sports Commission participation grant program … grants (that)  have supported sporting organisations across Australia to deliver inclusive high quality sport programs and experiences.

“They've already supported more than 900,000 Australians to get more physically active through sport with an important focus on inclusivity and accessibility.”

Referencing the Sporting Schools Program as “another great program”, Minister Wells noted “the pivotal role that schools play in fostering participation in sport.

“The program provides free programs to children in schools across the nation with 57% of these schools in regional and remote Australia.

“Sporting schools has provided almost 12 million opportunities for children to participate in sport and has partnered with more than 35 national sporting organisations to provide free and fun sporting opportunities.”

Reaching out to the NSC’s audience of recreation and sport professionals, went on to say “I look forward to working closely with you over this incredible decade in Australian sport together, we can further increase participation and together we can build a healthy, active sporting post COVID 19 in Australia.”

Through post-presentation questions, Minister Wells also showed a willingness to engage and learn, an approach welcomed by delegates.

Images: Federal Minister for Sport Anika Wells at a Parkrun events (top, credit: Twitter/Anika Wells MP), MInister Well addresses the NSC (middle) and NSC delegates (below).

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