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An expert panel of experienced and well-respected South Australians have joined forces to plan the future of the state’s sport.

Chaired by Port Adelaide Football Club board member Amanda Vanstone, the South Australian Government appointed Game On panel have, according to South Australian Minister for Sport, Recreation and Racing, Corey Wingard been appointed "not just been selected for their previous experience with sport or recreation, although many are experts in that field, but also for their understanding of local government, small business and technology.

"They will consider some of the key challenges for sport in South Australia, such as funding opportunities and increasing participation, and investigate at how sport can, and is, evolving and what the future holds for sports clubs, including those in our regional communities.

"This will include emerging areas such as para sport, how to get the most from the South Australian Sports Institute and virtual reality technology"

The formation of the high-level panel comes at a time when the South Australian Government is already undertaking a number of significant projects within sport, recreation and racing including:

• The South Australian State Sport Infrastructure Plan
• $10 million roof for new ATP/WTA tournament at Memorial Drive
• Review of current grants at the office for recreation, sport and racing
• Feasibility assessment for the hosting of a South Australian Commonwealth Games
• A funding and governance reform package for the racing industry
• Providing $24 million for grassroots sporting facilities

Minister Wingard added that South Australian sport is being given the management, planning, and facilities it needed to thrive on the national stage, stating “sport plays an extremely important role in bettering the lives of South Australians through increased physical and mental health and it is important we have the right people to guide us in the right direction.

“The high-level advice of the experts on the panel will be invaluable, the state sports plan will provide the infrastructure roadmap we need to guide us, and initiatives such as the Grassroots Football, Netball Cricket Program will help build those facilities.”

Game On Chair Amanda Vanstone said she was excited about playing an important role in determining the state’s future sporting direction, noting “South Australia has a rich sporting tradition and I am looking forward to ensuring that continues.

“The panel will establish a collaborative approach to identifying emerging trends, technologies and issues impacting on the future of sport and recreation in South Australia.”

The objectives of Game On are to:

• Provide vision and direction for South Australia’s Sport and Recreation Industry
• Identify future opportunities for economic growth within the industry
• Enhance social capital and capability for world class facilities and events
• Increase stakeholder understanding and engagement with emerging issues
• Develop a common platform for strategic and sector planning
• Better inform government agencies on how sport and recreation can contribute to whole of government objectives.

Sport SA, the not-for-profit organisation providing industry advocacy, training and professional support to more than 160 organisations in South Australia, appears not to have a representative on the Game On panel.

Panel members
Amanda Vanstone - Chair
Senator from 1984 to 2007
Former Australian Ambassador to Italy
Port Adelaide Football Club Board Member

Paul Di Iulio
Chief Executive, Campbelltown City Council
Board Member at SYC (housing, education and employment)
Expertise: Local Government

Timothy Olds
Professor, Alliance for Research in Exercise Nutrition and Activity
Sansom Institute
School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia
Expertise: Research and health

Mark Bickley
FIVEaa
Expertise: Sport

Leeanne Grantham
Commonwealth Games Australia Board Member
Former Chief Executive at 36ers
Former Head of Women’s Football at FFA
Expertise: Sport (particularly women in sport)

Kylie Taylor
Former Australian lacrosse player and national league basketballer
Chief Executive, Office of Recreation Sport and Racing

Anton Andreacchio
Founder and Managing Director at Convergen and Jumpgate VR
South Australian Entrepreneurship Advisory Board
Adelaide Film Festival Board
Expertise: Technology

Image: Sheffield Shield cricket at Adelaide's Glenelg Oval.

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