June 21, 2013
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington is urging South Burnett families, sport and recreation clubs to continue to “Get in the Game” with the second round of funding for the State Government’s grassroots sports initiative to open next month.
She said local families and clubs could apply for “Get Started” from July 15, followed by “Get Going and Get Playing” on August 15.
“The Newman Government is providing help to thousands of Queenslanders by reducing the costs of club registrations and funding better equipment and infrastructure through our flagship Get in the Game funding program,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“The initial response to the initiative from Queensland families and clubs was overwhelming, which is why we recently announced the LNP would triple Get in the Game funding to $47 million over three years.
“In the first round of Get in the Game, 11 sporting groups in our electorate shared in more than $57,000 in funding to help them increase club membership, purchase equipment or hold ‘come & try’ days.
“We’ve already helped more than 7000 Queensland children with our $150 Get Started vouchers, and more than 550 clubs across the State are better off with equipment and facilities.”
Sport Minister Steve Dickson said one of the greatest things about the Get Started component of the program was that more than 20 per cent of vouchers were issued to children who had never been members of a sporting club before.
“Get Started gives children whose families might not otherwise be able to afford it, an opportunity to join a sport or recreation club,” Mr Dickson said.
“Get Playing provides grants of up to $100,000 in funding to sport and recreation organisations for facility development and Get Going will provide grants of up to $10,000 for items and activities to help clubs attract and retain club members.
“When this program was first announced it was estimated over the life of the scheme it would provide around 40,000 grants of up to $150 for kids to join clubs, 200 grants of $10,000 for clubs to purchase equipment, and 80 grants of $100,000 for clubs to renew facilities.
“The original number of grants for the three-year period will now be available each and every year, so it’s great to know we’re not only fulfilling our election promise to relieve living costs for Queenslanders doing it tough, but also building on it with the recent funding boost.”
- Further details on Get in the Game are available online or by calling 1300-656-191.
