Tuesday, 18 November 2025

 Trung LUU (Western Metropolitan) (23:53): (2143) My adjournment tonight is for the Minister for Community Sport, focusing on the need for kids to access and actively participate in sport. The action I seek is for the Allan Labor government to urgently address the increasing number of Victorian families who can no longer afford to have their children engage in local sport due to the rising cost of living. A recent finding in the Australian Sports Foundation’s State of Sports Fundraising Report indicates that for six consecutive years there has been a record level of donations needed for community clubs and individuals to help keep families involved in sport and ensure clubs remain sustainable. The $200 voucher program for kids is insufficient and does not cater for all families, especially since registration fees are doubling at most, if not all, sports clubs. In Victoria we are reportedly receiving a total of $45.6 million in donations from individuals and organisations – an increase of $8.5 million on the previous financial year.

In my electorate the president of the Footscray United Rangers soccer club has expressed that donations from the broader community have been crucial in subsidising players fees, and that is giving more families the chance to participate than in past years. The cost of living is seriously affecting families, and many in my electorate are making cutbacks across the board just to pay the bills. Unfortunately, families are often forced to make difficult choices regarding their household budgets and the increasing costs of participating in sports. It can be too much for families to bear. We know that active engagement in team sports from a young age enhances a child’s physical and mental health. It helps coordination, reduces anxiety and stress and fosters teamwork, collaboration and communication. Now more than ever, we must provide hope for younger Victorians to ensure there are opportunities for them to thrive, regardless of where they live or how much their parents earn. All children should have access to quality community sports, so I look forward to the minister prioritising these issues so children will not miss out on the opportunity to be involved in community sports.