New Sport Debuts with Community Grant

Sunshine Coast Council

Need some help getting your one-off community or sporting event, or club project off the ground?

Then a Sunshine Coast Council Minor Grant could be just what you need!

Applications are now open for the latest round of grants. Not-for-profit community groups can apply for up to $3,000 - up from $2,000 last year - as part of a total pool of $160,000.

Previous funding recipient, Sunshine Coast Footvolley Club used their allocation to introduce a fun, high-energy new sport to the community.

A large group of happy people are gathered together in front of a marquee on a beach, with a Brazilian flag held up in the front. Many wear blue sport singlets and swimsuits.

Footvolley is a combination of volleyball and soccer with no-hands allowed to touch the ball.

Two men wearing blue singlets are on the beach beside a volleyball net. The man on the right holds his hands up and kicks the ball with his foot.

Last year the club was awarded $2,000 to purchase promotional materials and training equipment, which helped grow their exposure and attract new members to this exciting, beach sport.

Club organiser Ivan Falcao said the grant had been a huge boost for players and for showcasing this new sport to the community.

"Council's funding boost for equipment and branding has helped our group build a strong, visual identity and establish ourselves within our community," Ivan said.

Club coach, Lucas Oliveira, joined the Sunshine Coast Footvolley team in 2024, after originally competing in the sport in 2014 in Brazil.

Lucas and a group of friends adapted public volleyball courts to footvolley and started playing socially.

"The sport became my passion, and I progressed into competitive tournaments, achieving first place and podiums in competitions," Lucas said.

"Moving to the Sunshine Coast has given me the chance to introduce footvolley to the local community, which has really made me feel at home here."

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