A PROGRAM aimed at increasing participation in sp=
ort by=20
assisting people register for a birth certificate is being considered for=
=20
Kempsey.
The program, administered by the Department of Sport and Recreation, ac=
hieved=20
huge success in Dubbo last year, when it led to the city=E2=80=99s indigen=
ous population=20
count growing by more than 1 per cent.
More than 750 people registered during the program, which ran for 12 mo=
nths.
The program was launched after the Department encountered difficulties=
=20
registering people for sporting teams which required proof of identificati=
on for=20
insurance.
Now Kempsey Shire Council is keen to trial a similar program.
Council=E2=80=99s acting director of Corporate and Community Services K=
athy Oliver=20
said such a program could have similar levels of success in Kempsey.
=E2=80=9CThese are people who don=E2=80=99t have a birth certificate at=
all. People who have=20
never been registered,=E2=80=9D she said.
=E2=80=9CPeople who want to get involved in sport usually require some =
form of=20
documentation to participate so anything that encourages active participat=
ion=20
should be looked at.=E2=80=9D
Ms Oliver agreed the program would be of particular benefit to the loca=
l=20
indigenous community, but she would like to see it open to everyone. If th=
e=20
program was a success in Kempsey it could have a potentially greater impac=
t than=20
simply allowing people to play sport.
Kempsey=E2=80=99s population is currently listed at about 28,500.
Should it reach 30,000, the region would become eligible for a signific=
ant=20
financial boost from government funding initiatives.
Meanwhile, the hugely successful Midnight Basketball program run by Kem=
psey=20
PCYC starts for the second time tonight.
In its first eight-week stint the program led to a 57 per cent decrease=
in=20
crime in Kempsey.
Midnight Basketball is open to anyone and the PCYC is still seeking=20
volunteers to help run the program.=20
For more information contact Paula Skinner at the PCYC on 6562 8399.