Published Friday, 22 February, 2008 at 06:37 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Spence: State Government to provide emergency assistance for Northside Sporting Groups
The Queensland Government will offer emergency payments to more than 60 sporting and community groups directly affected by the decision by Shawsportz to go into voluntary administration.
Sport Minister Judy Spence said one off payments of up to $1,500 will be made available for those clubs that can demonstrate financial hardship, as a result of the sporting body’s collapse.
“We don’t want our young athletes to miss out on their weekend sport, because this organisation has gone into voluntary administration,” Ms Spence said.
“Local MPs Stirling Hinchliffe, Bonny Barry, Neil Roberts and Linda Lavarch, together with Brisbane City Councillors Faith Hopkins, Kim Flesser and Victoria Newton, have approached me on behalf of the clubs who utilised Shawsportz facilities, and I am pleased to be able to offer my help.
“We had previously offered to fund the development of a business plan for Shawsportz, to prevent them from reaching this point.
“Shawsportz rejected our offer and this funding will now be used to help those smaller groups who have been abandoned by Shawsportz.”
Ms Spence said the Clubs will be required to complete a one page application form demonstrating financial hardship and how they can utilise the funding.
The program will stipulate funding can not be used to duplicate funds already available from Brisbane City Council.
“This is about working in partnership with the Brisbane City Council and helping those clubs who have no one else to turn to,” Ms Spence said.
“Departmental officers will be made available to help clubs prepare their applications.
“Clubs will be able to apply for funding from next Monday February 25, until March 31, with funding paid within 2 weeks of application.
“This volatile situation with Shawsportz is having shocking effects on smaller affiliated clubs and the processes involved in maintaining operation can be daunting.
“The Government wants to reassure those clubs facing this challenging process, so we are going to engage a private consultant to provide independent advice and expertise to clubs on financial, legal, contractual issues and longer term operating models.
“We will also provide clubs with assistance to develop applications for funding under the Club Development Program (CDP) 2008, which is due for release in the coming month. Clubs can receive up to $4,000 under this program, for projects ranging from strategic planning activities, governance models, or participation activities.
“Clubs operating at Shawsportz facilities will also have the option of participating in specialised Department of Sport and Recreation workshops on club governance, to be delivered in the two months following the administration process.”
Media Contact: 3239 6218/ 0408 732 491
Sport Minister Judy Spence said one off payments of up to $1,500 will be made available for those clubs that can demonstrate financial hardship, as a result of the sporting body’s collapse.
“We don’t want our young athletes to miss out on their weekend sport, because this organisation has gone into voluntary administration,” Ms Spence said.
“Local MPs Stirling Hinchliffe, Bonny Barry, Neil Roberts and Linda Lavarch, together with Brisbane City Councillors Faith Hopkins, Kim Flesser and Victoria Newton, have approached me on behalf of the clubs who utilised Shawsportz facilities, and I am pleased to be able to offer my help.
“We had previously offered to fund the development of a business plan for Shawsportz, to prevent them from reaching this point.
“Shawsportz rejected our offer and this funding will now be used to help those smaller groups who have been abandoned by Shawsportz.”
Ms Spence said the Clubs will be required to complete a one page application form demonstrating financial hardship and how they can utilise the funding.
The program will stipulate funding can not be used to duplicate funds already available from Brisbane City Council.
“This is about working in partnership with the Brisbane City Council and helping those clubs who have no one else to turn to,” Ms Spence said.
“Departmental officers will be made available to help clubs prepare their applications.
“Clubs will be able to apply for funding from next Monday February 25, until March 31, with funding paid within 2 weeks of application.
“This volatile situation with Shawsportz is having shocking effects on smaller affiliated clubs and the processes involved in maintaining operation can be daunting.
“The Government wants to reassure those clubs facing this challenging process, so we are going to engage a private consultant to provide independent advice and expertise to clubs on financial, legal, contractual issues and longer term operating models.
“We will also provide clubs with assistance to develop applications for funding under the Club Development Program (CDP) 2008, which is due for release in the coming month. Clubs can receive up to $4,000 under this program, for projects ranging from strategic planning activities, governance models, or participation activities.
“Clubs operating at Shawsportz facilities will also have the option of participating in specialised Department of Sport and Recreation workshops on club governance, to be delivered in the two months following the administration process.”
Media Contact: 3239 6218/ 0408 732 491