Palaszczuk Government tackles inequality in sport with record $5M grant funding

More Queensland children will have the opportunity to get started in organised sport thanks to a record investment from the Palaszczuk Government.

Speaking today at Underwood Park, Minister for Sport Mick de Brenni said Round 11 of the popular Get Started Vouchers program would open on Wednesday, 24 January 2018 with the largest funding commitment in the history of the program.

“We know that kids don’t all get to play on a level playing field,” Mr de Brenni said.

“The start-up costs involved in organised sports can be prohibitive for families on lower incomes, which means some of the kids who would benefit most from the social and health benefits that come with organised sports can’t access them.

“If we look at families with a combined income of more than $200,000 per year, around 85 percent of kids in those families are participating in organised sport.

“But for families with an income between $40,000 and $70,000, participation rates drop by around 30 percent.

“Sports participation is not just about whether children get to have fun playing sports, there are very real social and health outcomes at stake.

“That’s why the Palaszczuk Government has increased funding for this hugely popular grants program, with more than $5.62 million committed to Get Started Vouchers for this round.

“These vouchers cover costs up to $150 to help eligible children cover the cost of membership or participation fees at their local sport or recreation club.

“A Get Started voucher can be the difference between getting to join a team, be part of a supportive community and be active with friends, or missing out on these things entirely.”

Mr de Brenni said it was important for families to apply early so they don’t miss out.

“In 2017 we saw vouchers racing out the doors in record numbers with just under 54,000 vouchers issued to Queensland kids keen to get active,” Mr de Brenni said.

“Overall nearly 204,800 vouchers have been issued to Queensland families since the very first round of the program.

“These vouchers are issued on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, so I urge eligible families not to delay their applications once the round opens.”

Mr de Brenni said nearly 4300 clubs across Queensland are registered for the Get Started Vouchers program, ensuring there is a huge range of activities on offer.

Get Started Vouchers is a program under the Queensland Government’s successful Get in the Game funding initiative, aimed at supporting grassroots sport and recreation.

For more information on how to apply for Get Started Vouchers, visit https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/sports/funding/getinthegame/getstarted/

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Media contact: Cat Milton 0410 644 113

Press conference audio: http://bit.ly/2EZsz9x