Older Tasmanians can apply for one of more than 15,000 vouchers to help cover the cost of sport and active recreation when the next round of Ticket to Wellbeing opens this Thursday.
The program gives eligible Tasmanians aged 65 and over a $100 voucher towards membership and registration costs.
It is available to people with a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card.
The government has increased the program’s funding to $3.6 million over the next two years, with three times as many vouchers available as last year.
Sport Minister Nick Duigan said the program had been heavily subscribed during its two-year trial.
“It’s good for your physical wellbeing, but it’s also good for your mental wellbeing,” he said.
He said about 360 providers were offering activities across about 42 sports, from swimming and Pilates to croquet.
Ageing Minister Bridget Archer said the program had been long advocated for by Council of the Ageing (COTA) Tasmania and the new round would open in time for Seniors Month.
“Older Tasmanians have told us how much they value this program,” she said.
St Leonards croquet player Victor Tunevitsch joined the sport through the program.
He said he had worked around Tasmania for 45 years and never considered playing croquet until it was suggested to him.
“I’ve met a lot of new people here, great people, encouraging me to learn how to play the game properly,” he said.
Tunevitsch said the sport was also a mental challenge and he now travels the state for competitions.
“It’s great to have something positive rather than all the hype that we see in the news that’s so negative,” he said.
Applications open at 9am on Thursday October 1 online and at Service Tasmania centres until all vouchers are issued.
