Minister for Sport to meet with Will Power to help drive the success of strategy

Minister for Sport Mick de Brenni will today (Thursday) meet with Toowoomba-born 2018 Indianapolis 500 champion Will Power to discuss the Palaszczuk Government’s Sport and Active Recreation Strategy.

Speaking ahead of the Brisbane meeting, Mr de Brenni said he was looking forward to hearing from Mr Power – the first Australian to win the famous 200-lap race – about the early identification of athletes and talent pathways in Queensland.

“Will Power is one of Australia’s most successful racing car drivers with a career spanning 19 years and three continents,” Mr de Brenni said.

“His success at the 2018 Indianapolis 500 is the realisation of a long-cherished dream and he has attributed his win to determination and positive thinking.

“He has an astounding 34 IndyCar wins from 51 pole positions and has finished in the top five in the point standings every year since 2010.

“He is proof that persistence and dedication can pay off, no matter what sport or activity people are doing – and he is determined to use his experience to encourage more Queenslanders to find a sport or activity they love.”

Mr Power said when he was growing up in Toowoomba, his childhood dream was to be successful in motorsports and it took time and effort to progress through the ranks.

“Through dedication, persistence and years of hard work, I achieved my dream of racing at the top level, becoming a champion and winning the Indianapolis 500,” Mr Power said.

“I’m living my childhood dream and it is an amazing feeling but unfortunately in many sports, it can be difficult for talented young athletes to find their pathway and make it to the top.

“There is a lot of talent in Queensland and I want to support our young athletes by encouraging them to stay active and healthy, work hard and never give up.

“But it is important for all Queenslanders, regardless of age, to be physically active, eat healthy food and get plenty of rest.”

Mr de Brenni said the Sport and Active Recreation Strategy, to be released next year, would see evidence-based, strategic investment to get people moving and create jobs.

“The strategy will cover sport in Queensland from top to bottom - from grassroots sports, through to elite training pathways and how we manage our major sporting infrastructure,” Mr de Brenni said.

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