Touch Football gets a valuable boost in the NT

Touch Football Northern Territory is grateful to have received $35,000 in funding to assist in the delivery of Touch Football and to continue to provide a positive impact in the top end.

Thanks to the Northern Territory Government and Chief Minister Michael Gunner and Minister Lauren Moss, Touch Football Northern Territory (TFNT) was fortunate to receive three grants during the pandemic.

The Minister for Tourism, Sport and Culture Lauren Moss spoke about the benefits to the NT community and recognised the critical role that sport and active recreation plays in the community and in the community’s recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. “Touch Football is hugely popular with Territorians, and the support provided means that Touch can pay some of their highest costs and work towards emerging from the restrictions with bills paid and in good shape,” said Minister Moss, recognising the importance of the sport being ready to recommence as soon as restrictions are eased.

Due to the physical distancing and gathering restrictions, referee and coaching courses have been unable to be delivered face-to-face. Now, thanks to the Online Accreditation Program Stimulus Package, these courses are being developed to be delivered in an online format. Funding of $5,000 has meant that the community’s volunteers are being upskilled even with restrictions on social gatherings.

Although restrictions have started to ease, travelling into remote communities is still not permitted. The Online Active Recreation Stimulus Package will allow Touch Football NT to purchase equipment and develop video resources which can be sent to these communities to assist their local sport and recreation staff in engaging the youth and teaching the fundamental skills for sport and Touch Football.

And one of the major challenges that a number of sports have faced during the pandemic is covering surface maintenance and watering costs. With the Sports Surfaces and Sewerage Stimulus Package, Touch Football NT received funding to cover their costs for the next four months for their Darwin facility. With water rates in excess of $5,000, this means that Darwin Touch can continue to provide a quality playing surface for their participants when the season recommences this month.

Touch Football Northern Territory State Manager Nathan McDonald acknowledged the leadership and support the Chief Minister Michael Gunner and Minister Lauren Moss have shown throughout the COVID-10 period and thanked the Northern Territory Government for these excellent support initiatives.