MEDIA RELEASE FROM THE QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT
Work has begun on the latest project to improve facilities for AFL Cape York House in Cairns.
Minister for Sport Bill Byrne said the Queensland Government was contributing $425,000 towards an expansion of facilities at Cape York House, an Indigenous boarding house for boys from Years 7 to 12.
“AFL Cape York is looking forward to the construction of an undercover court as well as two change rooms, a gymnasium and canteen,” Minister Byrne said.
“The new project follows the upgrading of the oval at Cape York House to full competition standard earlier this year.
“It is wonderful to see clubs and organisations across Queensland actively improving their sporting facilities and providing more opportunities for participation in sport and recreation.”
Minister Byrne said $425,000 had been provided through the State Government’s Get Playing Plus program.
The Department of Public Works and Housing is allocating $175,000 from the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing (NPARIH) with the Federal Government.
The Cairns Regional Council is contributing the remaining $250,000 of the $850,000 project.
Get Playing Plus is one of four programs under the Get in the Game initiative, for which the government announced funding in July of more than $80 million over three years.
“Get in the Game and its programs are all about lifting participation levels, assisting sport and recreation clubs and improving grassroots sporting facilities,” Mr Byrne said
“It’s great to see funding programs such as Get Playing Plus producing such positive results for our local clubs.
“We believe good sporting facilities encourage greater participation across local communities and this is why we are proud to support these great local projects.
“Congratulations to AFL Cape York on their continued great work to improve their facilities,” Mr Byrne said.
AFL Cape York is a 48 bed residential Employment Related Accommodation Program (ERAP) facility, funded through NPARIH, which provides supportive residential care to young men from remote Indigenous communities.
Minister for Housing and Public Works Leeanne Enoch said her department was excited to be supporting the outdoor facility with an allocation of $175,000 towards construction costs.
“AFL Cape York House aims to provide a positive and secure environment for these athletes to complete their education and go on to further training, education and employment,” Ms Enoch said.
“We look forward to seeing them develop into the champions of the future, both on and off the field.”
Get in the Game funding programs provide clubs with better resources, equipment and facilities and give children who might not otherwise be able to afford it the opportunity to play sport.
For more information on Get in the Game, visit www.npsr.qld.gov.au
