Queensland communities score a piece of GC2018 history

Christmas has come early for more than 100 sport and recreation groups and schools in Queensland, with confirmation they’ll be gifted a piece of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games in 2018.

Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones today announced world-class Games assets and sports equipment would be shared across Queensland, one of many positive legacy benefits of hosting the State’s biggest ever event.

“After the Games, about 20,000 sports items will be gifted to high-performance organisations, grassroots sports clubs, community groups, schools and councils,” she said.

“It’s a big tick on the Christmas wish list for more than 100 organisations delivering sports, health and wellbeing programs across the state.

“This far-reaching sporting legacy will stretch across Queensland, from Goondiwindi and Stanthorpe in the south, Mt Isa and Doomadgee in the west, to Injinoo and Thursday Island up north.”

Legacy items will range from infrastructure used by Games greats, such as netball courts and hurdles, to everyday sports equipment like timing devices, ladders and leaf blowers.

Ms Jones said the initiative was geared towards all sporting levels from recreational players and social sports groups, to elite clubs and serious competitors.

“We’re a sports mad state and building on the excitement of the Games, this initiative can support communities and individuals to be more active, happier and healthier,” she said.

“Purposeful reinvestment of GC2018 sports assets will help communities better deliver sports programs and grow participation, develop future sports stars and nurture sporting excellence for generations of Queensland athletes.

“From our youngest athletes to gold-medal contenders, reinvesting sporting assets into Queensland communities will give us a home-ground advantage to train and retain our state’s best.”

The Sports Assets Legacy Program is being delivered as part of the Queensland Government’s Embracing 2018 Legacy Program to create benefits for communities beyond the Games.

For more information visit www.embracing2018.com 

ENDS

Media contact: Jack Harbour 0419 620 447