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Federal Minister for Sport Mark Arbib and Minister for Indigenous Health Warren Snowdon have jointly lent their support to the more than 200 women and girls participating in Basketball Australia's program with the remote Northern Territory community of Groote Eylandt.

Senator Arbib said the Groote Eylandt Basketball Project was set up to encourage Indigenous women and girls to get involved in all aspects of playing competitive basketball, stating "the Groote Eylandt Basketball Project provides young women and girls the chance to play basketball while learning about other elements of the game including coaching, umpiring and organising a basketball carnival.

"Through the Indigenous Sport and Recreation Program the Federal Government provided more than $72,000 for the program."

Senator Arbib said senior girls from the Angurugu and Umbakumba schools participated in the eight week program which also developed mentoring skills.

He added "the senior girls will run a similar program for younger students once they have completed the program. It is an excellent way to put their new skills into action and have a lot of fun.

"Having the opportunity to participate in a wide range of sporting and recreational activities no matter where you live is a priority of the Australian Government."

Minister Snowdon said that it was especially important that young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Northern Territory could enjoy the benefits of playing competitive team sport, adding "the Groote Eylandt Basketball Project includes clinics at Angurugu, Umbakumba, and Milyakburra, as well as 'Mums and Bubs' basketball sessions at Angurugu and Alyangula. All these clinics are working towards inter-community basketball competitions.

"It is a fantastic program for Indigenous women and girls in the Territory community which helps them develop leadership skills and lead an active healthy lifestyle."

The Australian Government's Indigenous Sport and Recreation Program goal is to highlight that sport and physical activities in Indigenous communities have important physical, health and social benefit to Indigenous Communities.

10th May 2011 - MINISTER PAYS TRIBUTE TO SPORTING VOLUNTEERS

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