More sport participation vouchers for Queensland kids

A further $500,000 will be available this Friday (24 February) to help Queensland children kick-start their involvement in organised sport or recreation activities through the re-opening of Round 9 of the popular Get Started Vouchers program.

Minister for Sport Mick de Brenni said the high demand for the $150 Get Started Vouchers this year had led to a further boost in funding for the program.

“We boosted the program last month and watched those vouchers fly out the door with a record 36,000 vouchers already allocated in the current round of funding,” Mr de Brenni said.

“We have increased the budget for this round to help get as many young Queenslanders as possible to take advantage of these vouchers.

“Close to 500 parents contacted the department and my parliamentary colleagues indicating that they had missed out on vouchers this round.

“My department will contact those parents that left their with contacts details with the good news to ensure they are ready to apply on Friday morning.

Mr de Brenni said the Get Started Vouchers program aims to help Queensland children whose families can least afford the costs associated with joining a sport or recreation club.

“The vouchers provide up to $150 to help eligible children cover the cost of membership or participation fees at their local sport or recreation club.

“The Palaszczuk Government encourages and supports all Queenslanders, especially those who can least afford it, to incorporate physical activity into their daily routine.

“They are issued on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, so I urge eligible families not to delay their applications”.

Mr de Brenni said more than 4,160 clubs across Queensland are registered for the Get Started Vouchers program, ensuring there is a huge range of activities on offer.

“These vouchers are great but I know there is more work to be done to support parents and carers with the costs of their kids club fees.

“I want to make it even easier for parents to get their kids off the couch and into sport and recreation clubs across Queensland.

“I will be asking the Commonwealth Minister to make any necessary tax reliefs or tax deductions for club fees.”

Get Started Vouchers is one of four funding programs that make up Get in the Game, which has provided over $100 million in investment from this government to support grassroots sport and recreation.

For more information on how to apply for Get Started Vouchers, visit https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/sports/funding/getinthegame/

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Media Contact:  Tristan Douglas 0447 164 197