Queensland to benefit from A$26m investment in sport and recreation
The Queensland State Government is set to invest more than A$26m in community sport and recreational clubs to encourage young people to lead an active lifestyle.
A new sport infrastructure programme was launched on January 31 with grants ranging from A$50,000 to $415,000 for smaller club projects including lighting, ramps and pathways, cycle trails, skate parks, fixed exercise equipment, court upgrades and changing rooms.
The grants are open to community-based sport and active recreation clubs, state and national level sports organisations and local councils. Applications for funding close on March 2 and successful projects must be completed within 18 months.
The third round of the Government’s Active Clubs programme opened on February 1 with grants of up to A$2,500 available for 2,000 community sports clubs. The programme is designed to help clubs with the cost of new on and off-field equipment, accreditation courses for coaches, club officials and volunteers, and other initiatives such as ‘come-and-try’ events to attract new members.
Jonty Bush, Queensland Legislative Assembly Member for the Cooper electoral district, launched the new funding programme alongside Queensland Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe at Bardon Latrobe Football Club.
"We don’t want to see financial circumstances be a barrier to young Queenslanders getting on a team, connecting with friends, and staying active and healthy."
Bush said: “Over recent years, the Palaszczuk Government has invested almost A$380,000 in Bardon Latrobe FC including two new change rooms, aluminium seating, Active Clubs funding and A$5,400 in FairPlay vouchers.
“It’s wonderful to see construction of Bardon Latrobe’s new field lights underway to help the club build in new training flexibility and attract new members.”
The first round of the FairPlay scheme for 2023 also launched with up to 46,000 vouchers worth almost A$7m available to help low-income families in Queensland with the cost of sport and active recreation.
Hinchliffe added: “We don’t want to see financial circumstances be a barrier to young Queenslanders getting on a team, connecting with friends, and staying active and healthy. Whether it’s getting involved in scouts, surf lifesaving, tennis, martial arts, AFL or rugby league, there are hundreds of sporting options and clubs accepting FairPlay vouchers in 2023.
“A new generation of active and healthy Queenslanders engaged in their communities is one of the legacies we want to achieve from our green and gold runway to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“We’re making 2023 a winning year for community sport and active recreation.”
Image: Queensland Government
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