No. 73

KEEPING AFL IN CANBERRA

The Stanhope Government has provided $828,000 over the next three years in an effort to keep AFL in Canberra.

Minister for Sport and Recreation Andrew Barr said this was an increase from $250,000 per annum to $276,000, which reflected an effort to keep the AFL playing matches in Canberra.

“The Government provided $250,000 per year to have the Kangaroos play three games a year at Manuka Oval,” he said.

“We are currently negotiating to have the Kangaroos remain in Canberra for three matches a year, despite indications from the AFL that the Kangaroos may move to the Gold Coast.

“This increase in funding reflects Government moves to, firstly, secure the Kangaroos, or failing that, secure continued AFL games for Canberra.”

Mr Barr said there had been many advantages to having an elite AFL presence in Canberra, both economic and social.

“Over 65,000 people attended the six AFL matches held in Canberra in 2004 and 2005, with more than 13,000 inter-state visitors coming into Canberra for the matches,” he said.

“It is estimated the net benefit to the Territory from these games was almost $400,000 with an estimated economic impact for the region of $3.3 million. The ACT was also able to gain national promotion through an AFL national TV audience of more than 3.8 million people.

“In addition to this, the involvement of the Kangaroos in our schools, hospitals and junior sporting initiatives directly reached 6,000 young Canberrans in 2005 and there has been a dramatic growth of more than 200 per cent in AusKick participation in Canberra since 1998.”