HERALD WEEKLY ISSUE 608: 21 March 2012

Reaching out to Cook Islands Sports
Cook Islands community and sporting groups are once again in the running for funding from the Australian Sports Outreach Program (ASOP).
ASOP provides grants of up to AUD$10 000 for activities by community-based sporting organisations in the Pacific. The Program has been operating since 2006 and is managed by the Australian Sports Commission. ASOP aims to:
1. work with partners to address the needs of people at the local level in developing countries
2. share knowledge and leadership in sport
3. build the value for sport in developing countries.
Six Cook Islands sporting organisations have lodged submissions for the 2012-13 funding round and a decision will be made on the successful application (or applications) later in the year.
Cook Islands Rugby Union has been the most successful Cook Islands ASOP recipient in recent years, using its grants to extend its junior training and outreach program. The ‘Rippa Rugby’ program received ASOP funding to expand throughout the Cook Islands. It is now one of the most popular junior sports programs in the country, with over 1400 male and female participants.
Previous Cook Islands ASOP grant recipients include:
- 2010 -11:
o Cook Islands Rugby Union: $6,158 – Equipment for activities to introduce children of the outer-islands of Cook Islands to Rippa Rugby, training of outer-island physical education teachers and build on previously funded activities in Rarotonga
- 2008-09:
o Cook Islands Rugby: $ 8,856 - ‘Rippa Rugby’ program to introduce and promote rugby in primary schools in the Cook Islands
o Cook Islands Netball: $ 1,938 - National netball competition for under 21 year old females in the Cook Islands
- 2007-08:
o Cook Islands Table Tennis
For more details on the ASOP grants for the Cook Islands, please contact Genevieve Beirne, Third Secretary, the Australian High Commission in Wellington (genevieve.beirne@dfat.gov.au).

Herald Issue 608 21 March
- Terms of one China Policy document should be reviewed
- Pacific Media Assistance Scheme Seeks Innovation
- Successful NZ visit by PM
- Rerekura Teaurere New Climate Change Coordinator
- News Briefs

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