It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas for families who use sporting facilities in Brisbane’s inner northern suburbs following initial approval of a major project by the Queensland Government.
Get Playing Plus is part of the Government’s strong plan to support grassroots sport and recreation by assisting local clubs.
Minister for Recreation and Sport Steve Dickson said the Brisbane Inner North Sporting Community would receive a grant, subject to final approvals, for the construction of a multi-purpose clubhouse and development of a junior Australian Football oval at Stafford.
“Sport and recreation clubs are an important part of the community, providing health and social benefits, so it is important that they have the right facilities for members,” Mr Dickson said.
“I am thrilled that the people of Brisbane’s inner northern suburbs will soon benefit from the new facilities to be built at Stafford, and I hope that it helps deliver greater participation at the grassroots level.”
Brisbane Inner North Sporting Community (BINSC) president David McKellar said the project was the result of a partnership between BINSC, the Wilston Grange Gorillas, AFLQ, Brisbane City Council and State and Federal Governments.
“These various parties have come together in partnership to deliver this wonderful amenities upgrade project at Hickey Park,” Mr McKellar said.
“The project will benefit male and female sports participation and the well-being of athletes in the Stafford, Brisbane Central, Everton and Ashgrove region through sporting activities and programs including AFL, cricket, touch, triathlon, swimming, netball and softball.
“The project will enable increased participation and will raise community capacity to meet current and future needs,” he said.
AFL Queensland CEO Michael Conlan said the project would be a major boon for the Gorillas football club.
“The Gorillas are one of the few clubs to have both male and female state league teams and, as such, the club plays a pivotal role in the local community,”he said.
“It’s crucial that we continue to keep our facilities up to the best standard and we are thrilled that the Gorillas will have the opportunity to build a state of the art facility.”
Twenty-four projects have been approved state-wide for funding to provide new sport and recreation facilities or improve existing facilities, as part of this program.
“We want to ensure that sport and recreation clubs and organisations have the capacity to offer services and participation opportunities to Queenslanders,” Mr Dickson said.
“This program provides assistance to councils and community not-for-profit sport and recreation organisations to identify, develop and deliver high-need infrastructure projects, to support the development of facilities that will increase participation.”
“We have seen some great results from our Get in the Game initiative since it kicked off in 2012, with more than 67,000 vouchers issued to assist kids who can least afford to participate in sport or recreation.
“We’ve also helped 1,330 clubs with activities to increase participation and approved 360 infrastructure and facilities projects.
“There is more to do though and we will continue with our strong plan for the future.”
Further information is available at www.nprsr.qld.gov.au.
