More help for kids to Get Started in sport

Published Tuesday, 31 January, 2017 at 04:00 PM

Treasurer, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Minister for Sport
The Honourable Curtis Pitt

Treasurer and Minister for Sport Curtis Pitt has made an extra $750,000 available to help up to 5,000 Queensland children kick-start their involvement in organised sport or recreational activities through Round 9 of the popular Get Started vouchers program.

Mr Pitt said high demand for the $150 vouchers in the current Round 9 of the Get Started program had led him to boost funding.

“The vouchers flew out the door last week when the current round of online applications opened, exhausting almost all of the original allocation of $4.2 million in the current round,” Mr Pitt said.

“I want to see as many young Queenslanders as possible taking the opportunity to be involved in sport which is why I have increased the budget for this current round.

“The extra vouchers will be available online from 9.15 am this Thursday.

“With extra funds now available in Round 9, we will be able to help as many as 5,000 more children to get involved in their favourite sport or recreation activity.”  

Mr Pitt said the Get Started vouchers program helped Queensland children whose families may not otherwise be able to afford the cost of joining a sport or recreational club.

The vouchers provide up to $150 to help eligible children cover the cost of membership or participation fees at a local club,” he said.

“They are issued on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, so you will need to be quick when applications for extra vouchers open on Thursday.

“Overall more than 150,000 vouchers have been issued to Queensland families since the very first round of the program.” 

Mr Pitt said more than 4,100 clubs across Queensland were registered for the Get Started vouchers program, ensuring a huge range of activities on offer.

The Get Started vouchers scheme is one of four funding programs that make up the Get in the Game program which has provided more than $100 million in investment from the Palaszczuk Government to support grassroots sport and recreation.

For more information on how to apply for Get Started Vouchers, visit www.npsr.qld.gov.au/getinthegame

 

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