A HEALTHY approach to sport has powerful positive effects on and off the field, which is why Member for Northern Tablelands, Adam Marshall, is knocking on doors in Macquarie Street, arguing the case for an increase in funding from the state government for the Northern Inland Academy of Sport (NIAS).
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NIAS has received $148,000 a year from the state government for the past eight years. Now, along with the state’s other 10 regional sports academies, it is renegotiating that five-year funding agreement, due to expire in December.
Former chairman of the NIAS board, Mr Marshall has backed a push to have each academy’s funding raised to about $250,000.
He said it was about more than just sport.
“When our young athletes have access to psychologists, nutritionists and other sports medicine practitioners, they are being supported to develop a healthy, happy well-rounded approach to their sport,” Mr Marshall said.
Although he thought the additional funding was a reasonable request, he did acknowledge that the academies would have to tighten their collective belts.
However, he said he is determined that the essential service provided by NIAS should be expanded where possible. NIAS identifies and supports 160 athletes and 25 coaches in the North West each year.
