Queensland clubs Get Going for gold

Queensland clubs will have a head start on the next round of Get Going funding, with Round 7 opening for applications on April 23.

Sports Minister Mick de Brenni made the announcement this morning at the Gold Run 2018 at Southport, where he took part as one of 6,600 runners.

“From the moment Queensland bid to host the Games in 2012, we have made sure that the Games would leave a lasting legacy for Queenslanders,” Mr de Brenni said.

“We are incredibly proud of the achievements of our Queensland athletes – they’ve won medal after medal across the full breadth of sports.

“While it’s exciting to see our elite athletes smashing records, it’s important to remember that every one of them had to start somewhere.

“If we want to remain competitive nationally and internationally, we need to be creating opportunities for every Queenslander to get into sports.

“That’s why I’ve brought forward the opening date for Round 7 of our Get Going Clubs grants program, so that Queenslanders who are thinking about giving sports a try will have more opportunities to get in and have a go.”

Mr de Brenni said he was participating in the Gold Run to acknowledge the athletes and team officials participating in GC2018.

“I’m one of 6,600 runners today – the same number of athletes and team officials participating in the Games,” Mr de Brenni said.

“We’ve said these Games are a Games for everybody, and the Gold Run is a fun way to acknowledge that by inviting everyday Queenslanders to take part in a Commonwealth Games event.

“The Games marathon is happening at the same time, and we’re running part of the marathon course at the Southport Broadwater Parklands.

“It’s my aim that by opening Get Going Clubs Round 7 early, we can extend that Games fever to clubs all over Queensland.

“You don’t have to be an elite athlete to be part of it all – you just need to get in and have a go.”

Mr de Brenni said the Queensland Government is committed to making it easier for all Queenslanders to be more active, more often.

“That’s why we’re developing a comprehensive sports and recreation strategy, from grassroots club level right up to how we manage our major venues through Stadiums Queensland.

“Get in the Game is a suite of funding programs including Get Going Clubs and the ever-popular Get Started Vouchers. 

“Get Going Clubs provides funding to local and regional sport and recreation organisations to improve their capabilities to better deliver activities in Queensland communities.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to providing clubs with better resources, equipment and facilities, as well as giving children who might not otherwise be able to afford it the opportunity to play sport.”

Mr de Brenni said the Palaszczuk Government is also working with codes, clubs, volunteers and players to remove barriers that prevent any Queenslander from having a go.

“Sport and recreation binds communities together, builds friendships, boosts coordination and creates confidence,” he said.

“It encourages teamwork. It opens the door for personal achievement, for self-awareness and for social inclusion.

“Physical activity helps Queenslanders to be healthy and happy which can change people’s lives.”

Get Going Clubs is one of six programs in the Queensland Government’s Get in the Game initiative which supports participation in sport and active recreation at the grassroots level.

Applications for the Get Going Clubs program close on 29 June 2018.

For more information about Get Going Clubs, please contact your local Sport and Recreation Services advisor on 13 QGOV (13 74 68).

[ENDS]
Media contact: Cat Milton 0447 117 132