SHANE Rattenbury has thanked ACTSPORT for its contribution to the Canberra region’s sporting community, after the organisation signalled its intention to wind down.

“After a significant 30-year contribution to our region, it is important to note the many achievements of ACTSPORT as the peak body,” Shane said.

“ACTSPORT has nurtured the local sporting industry, assisting many sports to mature from the “kitchen table”, to viable business organisations.

“Among notable achievements, ACTSPORT has played an integral role in the establishment of sports leadership and governance programs for its member organisations, as well as celebrating the successes of local sportsmen and sportswomen through the Hall of Fame and the Sportstar of the Year awards.

Jim Roberts, President of ACTSPORT, said the decision to wind down the organisation had been made following self-examination of the business model in terms of sustainability and the future needs of Canberra sporting organisations.

“It is important to reassure our stakeholders that the wind down of ACTSPORT is occurring in an orderly manner. All of our employee entitlements and liabilities will be fully and properly settled.” Jim said.

“As an organisation we are very proud of the industry’s maturity, and in a sense, our contribution has done ACTSPORT out of a role.

“The Canberra sporting environment now consists of highly sophisticated sporting bodies with effective community and commercial networks, providing high quality sport and active recreation to more than 100,000 Canberrans at any one time.”

“The Government is committed to working with the sport and recreation community. We will continue to provide engagement opportunities and mechanisms for the industry to seek advice and access support services,” Shane said.

“Representing more than 70 not-for-profit community organisations, many thousands of Canberrans have benefitted from the efforts of the ACTSPORT team.

“ACTSPORT should take great pride in the integral role it has played for the region’s sports participation, leaving a strong and lasting legacy for the sporting community, as evidenced by the Territory having the highest rate of sports participation in the country.”