Parents whose incomes have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic are being encouraged to apply for a Kids in Sport Scholarship to help get their children back into sport this summer.

Singleton Council has partnered with Singleton Family Support and the Bloomfield Group to deliver one hundred $100 vouchers for vulnerable local families, available in addition to the NSW Government’s Active Kids vouchers.

Council’s Director Organisation and Community Capacity, Vicki Brereton, said the Kids in Sport Scholarship was another component of the Council’s $2 million Community Support Package.

“With local households cutting back where they can afford to, we want to make sure that sport continues to be an essential part of every child’s life by making it a bit more affordable for parents who need some help with membership or the associated costs of participating in sport,” Vicki said.

“We know how important organised sport is to the health and wellbeing of our kids, as well as for social interaction, and that has never been better demonstrated than during COVID-19.

“Giving kids the opportunity to get back out onto the sporting field, court, track, or in the pool, with their friends, is extremely important. Best of all, the Kids in Sport Scholarship will not only help struggling families but also provide a mini-stimulus to our local economy.”

Operations Manager at The Bloomfield Group owned Rix’s Creek Mine, Brendon Clements said it was wonderful to be part of an initiative that supports Hunter families.

“Sport is a big part of Singleton and we’re proud to provide assistance for programs that support the health and wellbeing of kids in our community,” he said.

With Council and the Bloomfield Group partnering to sponsor the scholarship, Vicki said the team at Singleton Family Support would administer the program, including reviewing applications against the scholarship guidelines.

“Singleton Family Support are a very important organisation delivering essential support services and programs for local families—we are very grateful to be able to utilise their expertise and, with the backing of the Bloomfield Group, offer $10,000 worth of scholarships to our community,” she said.

“The Kids in Sport Scholarship is another fantastic initiative of Council’s Community Support Package, designed to help our local economy recover and get life back to normal as much as possible.

“I whole-heartedly encourage any family doing it tough to take a look at the guidelines and consider this opportunity if it suits their needs.”

The Kids in Sport Scholarship can be used towards a sporting club registration, equipment and uniforms.

IMAGE | Alex Richards (Executive Officer, Bloomfield Group Foundation), Clive Andrews (Mine Production Manager, Rix’s Creek), Diana Deaves (Project Officer, Singleton Family Support), Lindsay Ross (Manager, Singleton Family Support) and Vicki Brereton (Director Organisation and Community Capacity, Singleton Council)