Sporting numbers are booming in Tamworth on the back of the Active Kids Voucher program, with local families now able to claim $200 a year for each child to participate in sport and recreation activities.
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While numbers are generally up across the board, the local soccer competition is bursting at the seams, and Northern Inland Football GM, Julia Farina, couldn't be happier after taking over the role just 12 months ago.
In the programs inaugural year NSW parents saved an incredible $54 million, with 540,000 vouchers redeemed, and after the offer was doubled this year to accommodate both winter and summer sports, that figure is set to almost double.
Locally, Tamworth families redeemed 4058 vouchers in 2018, and following the announcement earlier this year by Premier Gladys Berejiklian that the program is doubling in size, some 3290 vouchers have already been redeemed in 2019, with the second $100 voucher becoming available from July 1.
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Soccer has seen the highest number of vouchers used throughout the state, and Tamworth is no different, with netball and oztag running a distant second and third respectively.
One club, North Companions has seen a 43 per cent increase in registrations, a total of 169 more players since 2017, with 558 players taking to the field every weekend.
Across all clubs Tamworth has 2250 registered players, with more certain to sign up before the June 30 deadline.
"North Companions aren't the only ones - 90 per cent of local clubs have seen huge growth - it has been amazing to watch," Ms Farina said.
Locally the Active Kids Voucher allows players to register for a full season for just $30, and that is reflected in the number of young teams and players coming through.
Every Saturday morning the Gipps Street and Riverside fields take on a life of their own best described as "organised chaos", when some 1200 players between the ages of 5 and 11 play over 100 games every week.
Of those 1200 players, 300 are females, with that number also growing each season, and allowing for an all girls U6/U7 competition, as well as a mixed competition.
"Active Kids has had a huge impact on football in Tamworth and in the state," Ms Farina said.
"We have also seen a lot of people, and families, coming back to the game as well - it has been incredible."
