Fed: $1 million to send sport stars to the bush

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Fed: $1 million to send sport stars to the bush

By Sharon Mathieson

CANBERRA, Dec 4 AAP - The federal government today committed $1 million to send sportingchampions such as Port Adelaide AFL skipper Matthew Primus, Wallaby George Smith and swimmerGiaan Rooney to the bush.

The trio, along with other sport stars including Olympic silver medallist swimmer SarahRyan and basketballer Shelly Sandi, will head to rural areas to promote involvement insport and encourage kids to keep out of trouble.

Family and Community Services Minister Amanda Vanstone launched the Australian SportingHeroes initiative on the lawns outside Parliament House as scores of school children joinedin activities with sport champions.

She said the concept of using sporting heroes to promote healthy lifestyles, developself esteem and get children off the street followed a trip to Arnhem Land, where thelocal oval was the best-kept community facility.

"It just sort of hit us - it doesn't matter how desperate your surroundings are, sport'sgood for everybody," she said.

Her solution was to help fund high profile teams or sports stars to travel to communitiesand schools, particularly in disadvantaged areas, to interact with children and highlighttheir potential.

Senator Vanstone said spending $1 million now would save millions more in the future.

"I'm a firm believer that every dollar you invest when kids are young is a number ofdollars you save later," she said.

Senator Vanstone and Primus agreed children were more likely to listen to sports starsthen other adults.

"We're talking about a healthy lifestyle, staying away from drugs, smoking, tryingto keep yourself fit, the right education, trying to push people in the right directionbecause there are times as a young child or as a young teenager growing up you do go offthe right path a few times," he said.

"And if you don't want to listen to your teachers or your parents sometimes, sportingheroes or role models can certainly help you push in the right direction."

AAP sm/sw/jmd/bwl

KEYWORD: CHAMPIONS (PIX AVAILABLE)