Revised program boosts support for young athletes

Young athletes and officials who attend state, national and international championships are set to receive better financial assistance under a revised state government program.

Sport Minister Bill Byrne said the Young Athletes Travel Subsidy helped cover the transport and accommodation costs involved with attending championship events.

During a visit this morning to Cathedral College Rockhampton, Minister Byrne announced the program and congratulated four local students on their selection to compete in national and international competition.

“The Young Athletes Travel Subsidy is a new and improved version of a similar program,” Minister Byrne said.  

“Under the revised scheme, up to $1200 can be provided every two years for both young athletes and officials.

“There will now also be an allocation of funding to help cover the transportation and accommodation costs for each level of championship—$200 for state, $400 for national and $600 for international.”

Currently, young athletes and officials are eligible to receive $200 every two years if they compete at a state, national or international championship event.

Minister Byrne said the government was committed to ensuring Queensland’s young athletes were given every opportunity to achieve their full potential in the sporting arena.

“Queensland has produced some of our country’s most successful athletes and, as a government, we will continue to help our budding champions,” he said.

“With the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games just around the corner we need to get behind our young talented Queensland athletes and officials.”

Minister Byrne said the Young Athletes Travel Subsidy would open for applications on 1 July 2015.

ENDS

Media Contact: Michelle Connolly: 0478 325 738