Sport and Recreation sector and COVID-19 - questions and answers

1. I’m a sole trader working in the sport and recreation industry. Am I eligible for the Small Business Survival Fund?

Sport and recreation organisations are eligible to apply for the NT Government’s Small Business Survival Fund.

The sector may apply under the leisure and recreation category. The immediate survival payment amounts include:

• $2,000 for sole traders
• $5,000 for businesses with 2 to 4 employees (FTEs)
• $20,000 for businesses with 5 to 19 employees (FTEs)
• $50,000 for businesses with more than 20 employees (FTEs).

To find out more visit https://businessrecovery.nt.gov.au/businesses/small-business-survival-fund#section1

2. What is the Sport and Active Recreation Sector Immediate Response and Resilience Program?

This funding package includes $1.3 million for the Sport and Active Recreation Sector to provide support for the sector through a range of programs to assist sporting and active recreation providers and organisations.

This funding will be delivered through the following programs and priorities:

Online accreditation training

Funding support for volunteers and staff from your organisation and clubs to pay for and complete the online accreditation course component from beginner level and up across coaching, officiating and sports training. These courses are typically available through national sporting organisations.  Funding support is also available for board and committee members of peak bodies to undertake online governance related training courses.

Applications will be accepted until 17 April

Online activity programs and classes

Funding support for active recreation providers to develop and deliver on line programs targeting skill and fitness development classes for people staying home that would normally be offered or available in person that can be led by instructors and accessed by members online. Funding is available to purchase equipment necessary to film sessions and basic IT equipment required to manage online delivery as well as wages of staff delivering the content. Purchases must be from NT businesses. Consideration should be given to programs that engage people with a disability and senior members of the community.

Applications will be accepted until 17 April

Funding to assist in watering fields and ovals and to offset fixed sewerage costs

A number of peak sporting organisations and sporting clubs are required to contribute directly to or meet the full cost of water to keep turf playing surfaces in suitable playing condition.  In addition, some organisations may be required to pay fixed costs for sewerage. Organisations that are eligible to apply for DTSC grants will be able to apply for funding to assist with the costs associated with turf surface watering and fixed sewerage costs.

Applications will be accepted until 17 April

Remote community activities

Grants will be provided to regional councils to support communities with the purchase of sport and recreation equipment and employment of local people to deliver sport and recreation activities (noting they would need to comply with the national measures in place). Any equipment purchased must be from NT businesses.

Applications will be accepted until 17 April

3. Have the normal Sport and Active Recreation Grants programs been affected?

• All usual rounds of Sport and Active Recreation Grants have been reprioritised to support the Sport and Active Recreation Sector Immediate Response and Resilience Package. This includes quick response grants.
• Sport and active recreation organisations that have multi-year funding agreements (typically through Peak Sporting Body Grants or Active Recreation Organisation Grants) are able to flexibly apply 2019/20 funding across program areas, with an emphasis on maintaining jobs and meeting immediate needs of organisations.
• Client Managers are currently contacting each organisation by phone to work through this and ensure organisations have the flexibility needed to manage in this unprecedented time.

1. JobKeeper Payment

Under the JobKeeper Payment, businesses impacted by the coronavirus will be able to access a subsidy from the Government to continue paying their employees. Affected employers will be able to claim a fortnightly payment of $1,500 per eligible employee from 30 March 2020, for a maximum period of 6 months. https://www.business.gov.au/risk-management/emergency-management/coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business/jobkeeper-payment

2. Job seekers

For any staff that may be looking for work or doing approved studies, the Job Seeker Payment can assist with individuals who are:

• between 22 and Age Pension age
• have an income that is under the test limits
• meet residence rules.

To find out the full conditions visit https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/job-seekers

Restrictions on sports activities, facilities and clubs now apply. The following activities and venues are closed:

• a place that provides yoga, Pilates, barre, massage or other wellness services
• bathhouse, public swimming pools, wave pools, water parks and recreational lakes for swimming or water sports
• a gymnasium, skate park, public playground or outdoor gym equipment in a public place
• arena, stadium, sporting facility, amusement park, community centre, recreation or play centre, whether indoors or outdoors
• a place that provides physical training indoors
• a business that provides physical training activities outdoors except for a physical training activity conducted outdoors with no more than 2 people present, including the trainer.

* Facilities may remain open for the purpose of hosting essential voluntary or public services, such as food banks or homeless services.

* Massage services that are provided as allied health services are exempt.

* Closed facilities may be used by staff for the purposes of filming online instruction, providing that physical distancing measures are observed.

Where other sporting activities cause individuals to gather, all physical distancing measures and hygiene practices must be applied.

For more info visit https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/community-advice/sports-and-clubs

These restrictions may change, so please continue to check the website regularly for up to date information.

Reserves and community parks are closed for events and gatherings but can still be used by the community for exercise providing outdoor gathering requirements are followed (limited to two people, except for your immediate family or household)

This includes exercising and caring for horses and ponies, but only as individuals and not as a club-related activity.

These restrictions may change, so remember to check the sports and clubs information on the coronavirus website regularly for up to date information.

• Northern Territory Mental Health Line 1800 682 288
• Lifeline 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36
• Mensline Australia 1300 789 978
• EASA Counselling, Training, Mediation and Consulting 1800 193 123
• Catholic Care NT 8944 2000

I want to talk to someone in Sport and Active Recreation regarding the Immediate Response and Resilience Program

Sports and Active Recreation Contacts:

Online Accreditation Training: coaching, officiating and sport training
Coach and Athlete Development Manager Tony Judd
E: Tony.Judd@nt.gov.au t: +61 (08) 8922 6831

Online Activity Programs and Classes and Online Accreditation Training: governance and integrity
Director, Governance and Sector Management Shane McCorkell
E: Shane.Mccorkell@nt.gov.au t: +61 (0)8 8982 2300

Funding to assist in watering Fields and Ovals and to offset fixed sewerage costs
Director, Infrastructure Caleb Johnston
E: Caleb.Johnston@nt.gov.au t: +61 (0)8 8982 2310

Remote Community Activities
Director Sport and Active Recreation David King
E: David.King@nt.gov.au t: +61 (0)8 8982 2328

Generic enquiries can be sent to the Department of Tourism, Sport and Culture emc.dtsc@nt.gov.au

I have questions about mass gatherings

Call the mass gatherings hotline on 1800 518 055.

I have questions about travelling and border restrictions

Call the travel hotline on 1800 518 189.

I need to arrange COVID-19 testing

Call the NT hotline on 1800 008 002. If you live in Darwin and need to arrange testing, call the Public Health Unit on 8922 8044.

I have a question relating to COVID-19

Call the national hotline on 1800 020 080.

I want to report someone for non-compliance

Call 131 444.