Start Playing Stay Playing Excellence Awards

Nominations are now open in the latest round of the Queensland Government’s Start Playing Stay Playing Excellence Awards.

Acting Minister for Sport Craig Crawford said the Start Playing Stay Playing Excellence Awards are all about acknowledgment of where Queenslanders are going above and beyond to better sporting and active recreation opportunities for women and girls.

“This year’s awards will see the inspiration category dedicated to the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women,” Mr Crawford said.

“This ties in with NAIDOC Week and its theme ‘Because of her, we can’ which celebrates the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to Queensland.

“Our First nations women are leaders who teach, nurture and help guide the next generation of women.

“When it comes to sport, they are also leaders who not only play in their local communities, they organise the games and inspire other women and girls to play.”

Minister for Child Safety Di Farmer launched the awards today and said that many Queensland women and girls are missing out on the health and social benefits of sport and active recreation.

“I want to see this change and the Palaszczuk Government is committed to changing that and there has never been a better time for women and girls of all ages to Start Playing and Stay Playing,” she said.

“The Inclusion award recognises individuals, groups or organisations who have broken down barriers to include female participants in sport or active recreation.

“The Innovation award recognises individuals, groups or organisations who have implemented an innovative initiative to increase or enhance women’s and girls’ participation.

“The Inspiration award recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, teams or groups who have achieved a significant goal that inspires others.

“In addition, there is an overall Minister's Start Playing Stay Playing Excellence Award that will be presented to one of the category winners.

“I encourage all Queenslanders, regardless of age, gender or ability, to get out and get active.

“The Queensland Government is developing a comprehensive sport and active recreation strategy to give everyone the chance to lead a healthy, active life.

“I want to hear from Queenslanders across the state about how we can help grassroots clubs attract and retain more people.”

The awards are open to individuals, groups and organisations within Queensland.

Opportunities and funding for females in sport and active recreation:

The $15 million Female Facilities Program to improve sport club facilities for women

• Almost $2 million for the Get Out, Get Active program to fund 75 community initiatives
• Join the Movement as part of the Start Playing Stay Playing initiative.
•  Join the Movement has 32,000 followers through social media and the campaign videos has received more than 2.3 million online views.

To connect:

• Like the Join the Movement community on Facebook, follow on Instagram, or through #JoinTheMovement or #IMoveBecause.
• For more information on Start Playing Stay Playing visit: www.qld.gov.au/spsp
• To visit the Join the Movement campaign site, visit: www.jointhemovement.qld.gov.au

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Media contact: Tim Auguston 0417 768 626