Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, Corey Wingard, said in the past 12 months significant action had been taken under the direction of Game On with several new initiatives being set in motion.

“By taking the first steps in our long-term agenda to get South Australians moving, the Marshall Government has already created new places and spaces which enable physical activity, and affordable sport and recreation opportunities for participants,” Minister Wingard said.

“Our record investment in grassroots sport, the support we’re providing to programs to get people moving and the activation of community spaces have contributed to people of all ages and abilities getting involved with sport and recreation activities.

“Through Game On, we set a goal to increase physical activity levels in five years and then improve on this again at the 10-year mark.

“By pushing ahead with our plan, an opportunity exists to save the public health system up to $804 million a year.”

Highlights from Game On’s first year include:

• $214 million of new funding was allocated to revitalise sporting infrastructure across the state, including $204 million for the State Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Plan package.
• As part of this funding, $35 million was allocated to Infrastructure Grant Programs. This contributed to the expansion of the Grassroots Football, Cricket and Netball Facility Program to include ALL sports and making funding available for the Regional and Districts Facilities Program.
• $8.4 million invested in Sports Vouchers and the announcement to expand the program to year 8 and 9 students from 2022.
• $2.3 million invested in the Game On Partnerships Program to fund innovative ideas to get people moving.
• Under the Wellbeing SA Statewide Wellbeing Strategy, Wellbeing Hubs in the City of Playford and Naracoorte Lucindale Council were developed in partnership with the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing, the Department of Human Services and other state government agencies.
• The new Adelaide100 loop walking trail opened as a joint initiative between the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing, Wellbeing SA and Walking SA.
• Game On became the naming rights partner for the Corporate Cup, encouraging corporates to be physically active before and during work.
• The Department for Education ‘Premier’s be active Challenge’ has 35,000 students currently involved, with South Australian Sports Institute athletes signing on as Game On ambassadors.

To support Game On recommendations, partnerships have been formed across state government departments, local government and key stakeholders to identify areas of growth and align investments and resources.