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Kate is passionate about contributing to public debate on a wide range of important issues. Here are some of the issues she has touched on in the past.
- Should successful athletes have to pay back the AIS 10 Jun 2009
- Let's give youth voice now for a better future 12 Oct 2008
- Organ donation it's the greatest gift of all 21 Sep 2008
- Is safe sex message falling on deaf ears 31 Aug 2008
- Grassroots funding is key to Olympic glorys 10 Aug 2008
- Easy to overlook big issue of homelessness 20 Jul 2008
- Trailblazer Natasha leaves lasting legacy 29 Jun 2008
- Heavy hitters boost our World Cup hopes 01 Jun 2008
- Youth Forum Discussion Paper 17 May 2008
- We can't take sport for granted 11 May 2008
- Women truly can do anything be anything 20 Apr 2008
- Let the Games begin with all our athletes 30 Mar 2008
- Proud past but future a challenge for women 09 Mar 2008
- Young people will be heard at highest level 17 Feb 2008
- Our nation has changed dramatically in three weeks 16 Dec 2007
- Mobile Phone Towers 23 Sep 2007
- Bradken Foundry 01 Jul 2007
- Full Fees 03 Jun 2007
- Eating Disorders 17 Dec 2006
- Iraq 27 Jul 2006
- Electoral Laws 26 Jun 2006
- Dental 08 Jan 2006
- Make Poverty History 18 Sep 2005
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Media Releases
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 200813 May 2008 - Increased Support For Football Federation Of Australia
The Australian Government will provide $16 million over two years to promote participation in and support for football (soccer) in Australia.
PDF printable version of Increased Support For Football Federation Of Australia (PDF 18 KBThe Rudd Government will provide $16.0 million over two years to promote participation in and support for football in Australia.
The funding to the Football Federation of Australia includes support for a televised national womens league and is on top of existing four-year funding of $16.0 million.
There are currently more than 450,000 registered soccer players in Australia, the Minister for Sport, Kate Ellis, said. Community facilities need to be able to support the growing number of children who wish to participate in the game.
Promoting participation in and support for football in Australia was one of our key election commitments in the sport and recreation area. It aligns closely with the Governments strategy to promote physical and mental health for Australians by increasing their participation in physical and recreational activities.
Evidence suggests that current facilities are insufficient to meet the demands of the growing number of children who want to play football. This funding is a major step in rectifying this situation.
The funding to the Football Federation of Australia will include financial assistance to facilitate Australias participation in the Asian Football Confederation and other international events.
Success at the international level is important in the establishment of role models for children and to improve the standard of local competition, Ms Ellis said.
In supporting a televised national womens league, the Government aims to spotlight womens football. Participation by women in football is less than 20 per cent that of men.
Ms Ellis said the funding would benefit grassroots football clubs; national teams participating in the Asian Football Federation; Australian women who aspire to play football; and the more than 100,000 coaches, administrators, referees and volunteers who support the code.
The funding has been allocated over two years from 2007-08.