CLUBSNSW CONTINUES SUPPORT FOR VETERANS
Last Friday, ClubsNSW announced support of the newly established Veteran Sport Australia, a legacy program of the Invictus Games Sydney 2018.
ClubsNSW will provide funding towards the initiative through the overwhelming support delivered by the clubs who joined the Invictus Games Club Partnership programme. ClubsNSW and 37 partner clubs provided substantial direct financial support to the Games, along with in-kind support and athlete sponsorship.
Veteran Sport Australia is a national program that will pick up the mantle from the Sydney 2018 Invictus Games and continue to support Australia’s veterans and their families through the power of sport. Led and enabled by the RSL, Australia’s longest-established national veterans’ charity, and initially based in Sydney, Veteran Sport Australia is inclusive of all ex-service and veterans organisations.
Initial coordinating partners include the Australian Defence Force, Department of Veterans Affairs, state RSL branches and RSL National, Legacy Australia, Soldier On, The Road Home and Mates for Mates.
Funding and support for the initiative is being provided by RSL NSW, ClubsNSW, and legacy provisions from the Sydney 2018 Invictus Games. Member clubs will be advised on how they can support this important initiative in the coming weeks.
For more information on the program click here >>
NEW VETERANS CARD
Another legacy of the Invictus Games was the announcement by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday regarding the launch of a new card that will allow veterans to claim discounts from participating outlets in recognition of their service.
The Prime Minister announced the card among a suite of measures to ensure that ex-servicemen and women continue to be supported. The card will be modelled on existing benefit programs already used in the US and Canada, which aim to alleviate the issues that businesses experience in attempting to identify veterans. The card will be separate to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs health cards and is expected to be launched early next year.
ClubsNSW will support the initiative and will work with the Federal and State Government to remove any legal impediments for clubs to participate, such as limitations on their giving preferential treatment to particular members – which may be a breach of section 10(1)(i) of the Registered Clubs Act. Other businesses that have indicated early support for the program include Woolworths, Coles, Kmart, Bunnings, Target and the NRMA.
Ultimately it will be up to each club to decide whether they wish to utilise the card and what associated discounts they are willing to offer.
More information will be communicated when it becomes available.
If member clubs have any questions they can be directed to the Member Enquiries Centre on 1300 730 001
