01 Aug 2018 Yea Chronicle, Yea VIC (General News) FLOWERDALE Primary School will stay on the move with another successful round of government funding set to create more sporting opportunities for their students. Twenty six Northern Victoria schools are among 300 government schools to share in the $1.1 million Active Kids initiative. Funding is being provided to primary, secondary and specialist schools to support them in overcoming cost barriers to participate in sport. The initiative has already been instrumental in providing Flowerdale students with access to sports coaches, with students enjoying lessons from a basketball coach and a tennis coach just this year. Principal Sandra Horwood said the program provided great benefit to such a little school of just 25 students. It allows us to provide things that kids out here might not normally have access to, things that kids in the city might get to experience. Its a very valuable program and gives students the extra scope to think about what they like to do, she said. Labor Upper House Member Jaclyn Symes said the program is designed to break down barriers. We know that the cost of sports can be a barrier for students participating in sports, which is why were helping Northern Victoria schools cover those costs, Ms Symes said. This funding will help our country schools pay for things such as equipment, uniforms and transport so those costs arent a barrier for students. Happy, healthy students are better students and interschool sports are a great way to engage children in physical activity. The Active Kids initiative, announced in the 2018-19 State Budget, is part of the state governments drive to meet Education State targets that encourage more students to reap the benefits of participating in sport and physical activity.