The Kawana workshop will occur this Saturday 13 March, 3:00 - 5:00pm, Kawana Community Hall, Nanyima Street, Buddina

For more information about the workshops, and changes to sport and recreation funding, call 1300 656 191 or visit www.sportrec.qld.gov.au.

Release info below...
Minister for Child Safety and Minister for Sport
The Honourable Phil Reeves
12/03/2010
North Coast sports funding up for grabs
 
The Bligh Government's new package of sport and recreation funding programs will deliver more than $138 million to create jobs, help build infrastructure and deliver initiatives to encourage Queenslanders to take part in sport and recreation activities.

Sport Minister Phil Reeves today encouraged Sunshine Coast sport and recreation groups to attend a workshop in Kawana to find out what funding was available for their organisation.

"I recently announced four new programs to fund sport and recreation organisations, councils and schools to help them increase participation, recruit volunteers, and encourage disadvantaged communities to participate in sport," Mr Reeves said.

"Community groups will also be eligible for some funding programs.

"We're committed to providing opportunities for as many people as possible to get active to help make Queenslanders Australia's healthiest people."

The new programs, providing funding over a three year period, include:

*$38 million Local Sport and Recreation Jobs plan, to help employ local sport and recreation coordinators,

*$51.5 million Sport and Recreation Infrastructure program,

*$27.6 million State Sport and Recreation Organisation Development Program, and

*$18 million Active Inclusion Program.

Mr Reeves said the investment would deliver real benefits for the people of the Sunshine Coast.

"The Bligh Government provides more funding to sport and recreation than any other state and the new programs will boost the opportunities for Queenslanders from all walks of life to be involved in sport and recreation activities," he said.

"The new programs mean the amount of funding sporting clubs will have access to for minor capital works has more than doubled and more organisations can apply for funding than ever before.

"The funding will also help deliver jobs through the employment of local sport and recreation coordinators and infrastructure development.

"There will also be $3 million allocated to industry development.

"This is a great initiative that will boost participation numbers and recruit more volunteers.

"This is more proof of the Bligh Government's commitment to sport and recreation on the Sunshine Coast.

"Over the past 10 years the Sunshine Coast has benefited from millions of dollars in funding.

"In the Kawana area alone, the Government is a proud supporter of sport and recreation from grants of up to $25,000 to a number of sporting clubs to recover from natural disasters, to $99,500 to the Sunshine Coast Regional Council for a walk/cycleway at Kathleen McArthur Park, Wurtulla."

Mr Reeves said the Federal Government's 2009 Crawford report made the observation that children from middle-class backgrounds dominate club sport.

"We are determined to address access to sport and recreation so that no child misses out," he said.

"Under the Active Inclusion Program we will be making funding available for local organisations to encourage disadvantaged groups to participate in sport and recreation."

The funding programs are due to be released between March and April 2010.

The Kawana workshop will occur this Saturday 13 March, 3:00 - 5:00pm, Kawana Community Hall, Nanyima Street, Buddina

For more information about the workshops, and changes to sport and recreation funding, call 1300 656 191 or visit www.sportrec.qld.gov.au.