97 schools take Gold under the first release of Go for Gold Round 2 Funding

• 97 schools to share in over $30 million investment for new or improved sporting infrastructure  
• All Queensland schools, state and non-state, were able to apply for up to $500 000 in Round 2 Category 1 funding

Queensland students dreaming of being future Olympians and Paralympians are one step closer to having access to new and improved sporting infrastructure thanks to the Miles Government’s Go for Gold Fund.

The 97 schools will share in over $30 million in Category 1 funding which will be used to upgrade, improve and provide new sporting infrastructure across various sports and activities, including basketball, softball, tennis, cricket and track and field, as well as improve multi-purpose facilities used for physical activity.

The Fund aimed to prioritise investment in locations, such as those outside South East Queensland, where enhanced or new infrastructure would increase active pathways in communities that may experience lower student participation rates in sport.

The majority of the 97 successful schools are outside South East Queensland, with more than half located in regional or remote locations.

Set to support greater sport participation across the state, the Go for Gold Fund will encourage students and their communities to be more active and improve sports performance preparation for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Education Di Farmer:

“We want to see more young Queenslanders have access to modern sporting infrastructure which will encourage them to be more active, while encouraging schools to facilitate community use of school sports facilities.

“Encouraging kids to be more active is not always easy but having access to state-of-the-art infrastructure and equipment at school, or in the community, can be enticing.

“The benefits of physical activity on physical, social and emotional health are well known and undoubtedly contribute to better learning outcomes.

“Of course we also want to help develop the sporting stars of tomorrow and see even more Queenslanders than ever before on the podiums at the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic games.

“Primary, middle, high and special education schools alike will benefit from the Go for Gold Fund. But it’s not just the schools that will benefit from the Fund; it will be great for communities right across Queensland.

Quotes attributable to Minister Grace Grace:

“State and non-state schools across Queensland will benefit from this immensely popular program.

“I am proud to back the sports superstars of tomorrow, supporting them with the equipment and infrastructure they need to make their Olympic and Paralympic dreams come true.

“We want more children around the State, their families, and school communities to experience the magic of sport.

“You never know where the next champion will come from.”

Further information:

A full list of the successful schools is available at https://alt-qed.qed.qld.gov.au/programs-initiatives/department/building-education/major-projects/school-upgrades/go-for-gold.

Background

Round 2 of the Fund allowed all Queensland schools, both state and non-state, to apply for up to $5 million for new or upgraded sports infrastructure. Funding in Round 2 is administered in three categories:

• Category 1 – up to and including $500,000;
• Category 2 – over $500,000, up to and including $2.5 million; and
• Category 3 – over $2.5 million, up to and including $5 million.

The assessment of Category 2 and Category 3 applications is still ongoing, with announcements expected in Term 3, 2024.

680 schools have already received funding to purchase sporting equipment under Round 1.

Ministerial Contact: Tim Auguston 0427 090 563