2008 Media Releases
Sport and Recreation 2008 Media Releases
29 December 2008 | Katherine Martial Artist Joins NT Elite Athletes
A judo competitor from Katherine joins 28 other talented athletes who have been awarded Northern Territory Institute of Sport (NTIS) Individual Athlete Scholarships.
17 December 2008 | Upgrade for Katherine Sports Facilities
Minister for Sport and Recreation Karl Hampton has announced the approval of $250 000 to upgrade sporting facilities in Katherine.
14 December 2008 | NTIS Squad Sport Agreements Open
Nominations are now open for the Territory’s peak sporting organisations to apply for a 2009-13 Northern Territory Institute of Sport (NTIS) squad program.
12 December 2008 | Traeger Park on Track for More Top Class Sport
The Northern Territory Government has welcomed the announcement from the Australian Football League that there will be a pre-season match on February 27th at Traeger Park.
12 December 2008 | $1.32M for Sports Facility Upgrades
The Northern Territory Government is inviting sports organisations and clubs to apply for a Sports Facilities Grant to improve their organisation’s facilities.The Northern Territory Government is inviting sports organisations and clubs to apply for a Sports Facilities Grant to improve their organisation’s facilities
2 December 2008 | Alice Springs Aquatic Centre Officially Opens
Stage One of the Alice Springs Aquatic Centre was officially opened today by Minister for Sport and Recreation Karl Hampton.
1 December 2008 | Funding for Alice Basketball Development Officer
Minister for Sport and Recreation Karl Hampton today announced that the Northern Territory Government would assist Alice Springs Basketball to fund a new development officer.
1 December 2008 | Territory Sporting Ties with Timor Leste Strengthen
Sporting relations between Timor Leste and the NT have taken another step forward with Member for Nhulunbuy Lynne Walker representing the Territory Government on a visit to the country over the weekend.
28 November 2008 | Grass Roots Grants Nominations Set to Close
Sport and Recreation Minister Karl Hampton has announced recipients of the 2008/09 Grass Roots Sports Grants for round one and nominations are set to close for round two.
28 November 2008 | NBL Stars Arrive in Darwin
The Territory’s adopted NBL team the Perth Wildcats today arrived in Darwin ahead of tomorrow night’s clash against reigning NBL Champions the Melbourne Tigers.
26 November 2008 | Territory Team Departs for Friendship Games
Minister for Sport and Recreation Karl Hampton today farewelled the eight young Territory athletes who have been selected to participate in the BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games.
25 November 2008 | NT Government Supports Hottest 7's in the World
The ‘Heineken Hottest 7’s in the World’ was today officially launched by Minister for Sport and Recreation Karl Hampton and Australian Wallaby Rugby Union player Julian Huxley.
22 November 2008 | Southern Region NTIS Athletes Recognised
Minister for Sport and Recreation Karl Hampton has congratulated Northern Territory Institute of Sport (NTIS) athletes on a year of amazing achievements which included Olympic and Paralympic medals.
20 November 2008 | Recognising the Territory's Sporting Best
It has been a fantastic year for Terrtiorians in the sporting arena and now it is time to recognise the best of 2008. Minister for Sport and Recreation Karl Hampton today opened nominations for the 2008 Northern Territory Sports Awards.
18 November 2008 | Minister to Present Indigenous Sport Framework
Sport Minister Karl Hampton will discuss the positive role sport is playing to close the gap in Indigenous disadvantage at the annual Sport and Recreation Ministers’ Council meeting in Sydney this week.
14 November 2008 | Territorians Urged to Support Tahnee
Territory superfish Tahnee Afuhaamango showed off her talents at the Parap Pool today ahead of her departure next week for the Down Syndrome International Swimming Organisation World Swimming Championships in Portugal.
13 November 2008 | Magic Appointment for Territory Footy
Minister for Sport and Recreation Karl Hampton today congratulated Michael ‘Magic’ McLean on his appointment as the inaugural coach of the Northern Territory Football Club.
7 November 2008 | NT Government Securing Three Year NBL Deal
The Northern Territory Government has secured elite level basketball games into the future with the announcement today of a three-year, $480,000 deal with the Perth Wildcats and Lynx.
4 November 2008 | Alice Springs to Host National Golf Championships
The Alice Springs Golf Club will host the 2009 Australian Boys and Girls Amateur Championships in April and now with the support of the Northern Territory Government the Alice course will be in top shape.
30 October 2008 | State of the Art Cricket Centre at Marrara
Minister for Sport and Recreation Karl Hampton announced today that a state of the art cricket facility will be built at Marrara.
28 October 2008 | New Netball Courts Well Under Way
Minister for Sport and Recreation Karl Hampton said work on Darwin’s new 10-court netball complex is well under way with the pouring of the concrete today for the new ace rebound courts.
27 October 2008 | Territory Athletes Selected for Friendship Games
Minister for Sport and Recreation Karl Hampton today congratulated eight young Territory athletes who have been selected to participate in the upcoming BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games.
27 October 2008 | Yuendumu Pool Officially Opens
Minister for Sport and Recreation Karl Hampton today congratulated the Central Australian community of Yuendumu on the official opening of their community swimming pool.
22 October 2008 | Territorians No Couch Potatoes
The stereotypical image of Territorians as couch potatoes may need to be replaced following an Australian Sports Commission (ASC) survey that reveals Territorians have higher than average rates of participating in regular exercise.
18 October 2008 | Successful Masters Games
Minister for Sport and Recreation Karl Hampton has congratulated everyone involved in making the 12th Alice Springs Masters Games a very successful week of fun and games.
17 October 2008 | NTIS Rugby Union Scholarships
Young elite athletes aspiring to play professional Rugby Union are being encouraged to apply for a coveted scholarship with the Northern Territory Institute of Sport (NTIS).
8 October 2008 | Carbine Club 2009 NTIS Scholarships Announced
Recipients of the 2009 Carbine Club NTIS Development Scholarships were announced in Darwin last night.
3 October 2008 | Opportunities For NT Elite Athletes
Minister for Sport and Recreation Karl Hampton today called on aspiring NT elite athletes to apply for Northern Territory Institute of Sport scholarships.
2 October 2008 | New surface a boost for Katherine lawn bowlers
Lawn bowls in Katherine have received a boost with a new playing surface installed after the club received a $50 000 grant from the Territory Government.
29 September 2008 | Future Basketball Stars in Darwin
The future stars of Australian basketball will be in Darwin this week with the Darwin Basketball Association hosting the national Under 14 Boys Club Championships.
29 September 2008 | NTIS Performing on the International Stage
Minister for Sport and Recreation Karl Hampton today congratulated the Northern Territory Institute of Sport for its recent successes on the international sporting stage.
16 September 2008 | Bronzed Territorian
Territorian Melanie Hall has grabbed a medal at her first Paralympics with the women's wheelchair basketball team winning its bronze medal match.
12 September 2008 | Olympic Medallists set for Darwin Parade
Territorians will get their chance to congratulate Beijing Olympic Medallists in the Australian Olympic Committees 'Happy Homecoming Celebrations' parade through Darwin on 20 September.
22 August 2008 | Paralympian Melanie Heads to Beijing
Chief Minister Paul Henderson today presented wheelchair basketballer Melanie Hall with a Territory Flag as she prepares to leave Darwin for the Beijing Paralympics.
15 July 2008 | NT Government Secures NRL Match
The Northern Territory Government has secured a pre-season NRL match in Darwin between the Gold Coast Titans and Cronulla Sharks, Chief Minister Paul Henderson announced today.
11 July 2008 | Our Territorian Olympians
Chief Minister Paul Henderson today congratulated Territorian hockey player Des Abbott, who has been selected in the Australian team to go the Olympics and wheelchair basketballer Melanie Hall who will also be going to Beijing.
11 July 2008 | Work Starts on New Netball Complex
Chief Minister Paul Henderson said the start of work on Darwin’s new 10-court netball complex delivers on another Government election commitment.
27 June 2008 | Lifting Territory Records
NTIS Scholarship holder Andrea Mullins’ winning performance at the NTWA Open Competition, held last weekend in Darwin, has rocketed her into the Australian number one ranked position for Under 16s and 18s.
15 June 2008 | $10 000 To Support Darwin To Ambon Yacht Race
The NT Government is providing a $10 000 grant to help with the staging of the iconic Darwin to Ambon Yacht Race and Rally again this year.
13 June 2008 | Olyroos Vs Chile June 27/29
Territorians will have the opportunity to see an historic sporting event in Darwin later this month with the NT Government and Football Federation Australia today formally announcing the Territory’s first international football series.
12 June 2008 | Territory stars get the chance to rub shoulders with the best
Two lucky Territory stars have been presented with a chance to pick up tips from the Hockeyroos National Assistant Coach.
11 June 2008 | Eight new players make NTIS Cricket Squad for 2008/2009
Northern Territory Institute of Sport Cricket Head Coach, Shane McDermott, today announced the 15 man squad to comprise the NTIS Cricket Program for 2008 / 2009.
6 June 2008 | Getting TIO Stadium Ready for International Cricket
Sports Minister Matthew Bonson today inspected the TIO Stadium with two of Australia’s leading wicket consultants in the lead-up to the one day series in Darwin later this year.
6 June 2008 | Territory Team Takes State Vs State Tenpin Bowling Disability Championships!
Sports Minister Matthew Bonson today congratulated the Territory’s representative Tenpin Bowling Team on taking out the State vs State finals in the 2008 Tenpin Bowling Australian Disability Championships this week.
27 May 2008 | Forging pathways for future generations
Former NTIS athlete Michael Scaturchio, 27 now shares his time between Darwin and Italy where he has been playing professional Rugby Union since 2004.
20 May 2008 | Olyroos To Train In The NT
Australian Olympic Football team, The Olyroos, will run a 10 day training camp in Darwin thanks to a $37 000 grant from the NT Government.
13 May 2008 | Hall Takes Her Place In Hockey History
NTIS Hockey Head Coach Melissa Hall is primed to take the mantel as the first female coach of a men’s team at the 21 and under level in Australia.
6 May 2008 | Territory Lifestyle a Winner in Budget 2008 - More for Sport, Recreation, Parks, Fishing and the Arts
There is more for the Territory’s lifestyle in Budget 2008 with increased invested in sport, recreation, parks, fishing and the arts.
5 May 2008 | Better Sports Facilities for Territorians
The Northern Territory Government will boost sporting facilities funding by $2 million in the upcoming Budget.
24 April 2008 | Free Buses To Powercruise This Weekend
The NT Government is providing free buses to Australia’s “wildest cruising car show” - Powercruise – in Darwin this weekend.
24 April 2008 | Footy Boots Deliver Education Boost
Chief Minister Paul Henderson has officially launched the Top End Football Academy at Sanderson Middle School, saying the program was already delivering results for students.
21 April 2008 | NTIS netballers score national selection
NTIS Netball Scholarship holders Kim Bruyn and Jessica Moller secured a place at the National Underage Talent Camp after impressing national selectors at the recent Netball Australia National Underage Championships in Perth.
18 April 2008 | $3 Million Boost Delivers More Cyclone Shelters
Budget 2008 will include $3 million to deliver more cyclone shelters for Territory families right across the Top End.
12 April 2008 | Four Nations Coming to Darwin!
The NT Government today announced a funding grant of almost $40 000 to help bring the Four Nations Hockey Tournament to Darwin later this month.
29 March 2008 | Alison Fitch Named NT Sportsperson Of The Year
Triathlon champion Alison Fitch was last night named the Qantas NT Sportsperson of the Year at the 2008 Northern Territory Sports Awards.
28 March 2008 | Kelly Fong retires from competition
NTIS Elite Scholarship holder Kelly Fong did not qualify for Beijing Olympics after winning a bronze medal during the recent Oceania Judo Championships in Christchurch.
26 March 2008 | Tamara Betts Scores Bronze
Northern Territory Institute of Sport development scholarship holder Tamara Betts secured a Bronze medal competing at her first international competition.
26 March 2008 | Gardens Oval Facilities Upgrades
Sports Minister Matthew Bonson has welcomed news that Darwin City Council (DCC) is ready to enter discussions with the NT Government and Cricket NT about upgrading cricket facilities at Gardens Oval.
14 March 2008 | Beijing In Sight For Fong
Sports Minister Matthew Bonson today gave pint-sized judo champion Kelly Fong an opportunity to pit her strengths against him in a judo challenge at Parliament House.
12 March 2008 | 20th Anniversary of NTFL Win Commemorated in Grand Final Week
Sports Minister Matthew Bonson today commemorated the 20th anniversary of the NT Buffaloes’ phenomenal win at the Australian Football Carnival ahead of this weekend’s Grand Final.
7 March 2008 | NT Swimming Championships Kick Off In Darwin
Sports Minister Matthew Bonson today officially opened the Northern Territory Swimming Championship.
6 March 2008 | Tahnee Smashes World Records On The Path To Portugal
Sports Minister Matthew Bonson today congratulated NTIS Development Scholarship holder Tahnee Afuhaamango, who charged through the Queensland 2008 Athletes with a Disability Swimming State Championships, to claim five world records.
29 February | NTIS Netball takes over the Gold Coast
NTIS Netball Scholarship holder Chloe Alderman has been selected to join the Golden South Jaguars in the Queensland State Netball League.
22 February 20 | NT Government Welcomes Northern Thunder to League
Sports Minister Matthew Bonson today congratulated A League’s newest member – Northern Thunder – saying he was looking forward to top class soccer games in the Territory.
14 February 2008 | Free buses for AFL game
Territorians heading to tomorrow night’s NAB Cup opening match between the Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne are being encouraged to take advantage of free buses that will be running to TIO Stadium.
12 February | Ponting’s Boys Heading Back To Territory
The Australian cricket team will head to Darwin for a one day series later this year thanks to a $2.1 million funding commitment from the Northern Territory Government.
8 February 2008 | NT Government Moves to Secure A-League Matches
The NT Government has stepped up its efforts to bring A-League soccer matches to the Territory – with senior officials from the Football Federation meeting with Sports Minister Matthew Bonson next week.
6 February 2008 | Liddy’s Chance to Shine
Sport and Recreation Minister Bonson today congratulated NTIS Development Scholarship holder, Candice Liddy, who will be joining Hockey Australia’s Development Group Camp in Perth today.
5 February 2008 | “Darwin” Wildcats Ready for Match
Minister for Sport Matthew Bonson has urged Territorians wanting to get to the Perth Wildcats game tomorrow to hurry up and secure their tickets, with only 300 seats left to the big match.
31 January 2008 | Hall glides into Australian team
Northern Territory Institute of Sport elite athlete, Melanie Hall, has been selected to represent Australia in wheelchair basketball at the Osaka Cup in Japan next month.
30 Januuary 2008 | Territory Leaders to Carry Olympic Flame
Two community leaders from the Top End have been named as the Territory’s torch bearers when the Olympic flame arrives in Canberra later this year.
30 January 2008 | $100 000 to Support National Netball Competition
Sports Minister Matthew Bonson today announced that the NT Government would contribute $50 000 to help a Territory netball team compete in a national competition this year. This is on top of a $50,000 grant provided to NT Netball in June to assist with feasibility and entry costs.
28 January 2008 | Countdown to Masters Games
The countdown to the Alice Springs Masters Games is underway with entry forms to be sent around the world.
25 January 2008 | NT Government To Work With Northern Thunder
The Northern Territory Government will work with A-League expansion hopeful the Northern Thunder to help Darwin attract top class games.
18 January 2008 | North Queensland Cowboys love the Northern Territory
The NRL’s North Queensland Cowboys are hosting a coaching clinic in Darwin today with hundreds of junior players expected to flock to Richardson Park for the chance to learn some new skills.
12 January 2008 | Heads of Delegation – Arafura Games 2009
Sports Minister Matthew Bonson today chaired a successful Arafura Games Heads of Delegation meeting in Brunei – and is confident that the 2009 Games will be bigger and better than ever.
4 January 2008 | NTIS awards scholarship to Tahnee Afuhaamango
It’s been a wonderful start to the New Year for top Northern Territory swimmer, Tahnee Afuhaamango, with the NTIS awarding her a scholarship.