The Palaszczuk Government is investing almost $5.5 million to help young Queenslanders start 2019 on the right foot through their favourite sport.
Minister for Sport Mick de Brenni said the next round of the Get Started Vouchers opens on Wednesday, 6 February and will provide $150 support for up to 36,000 Queensland kids from low-income families.
In anticipation of Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s Cabinet visiting the Sunshine Coast next week as part of its Governing from the Regions initiative, Mr de Brenni reminded students at Coolum State High about the launch date next week and said there were plenty of vouchers to go around.
"These vouchers enable young Queenslanders who might otherwise miss out to get out and get active with their friends through sport and recreation," Mr de Brenni said.
"Since 2015 an incredible 191,169 Get Started Vouchers were distributed in Queensland and last year 10,300 were redeemed right here on the Sunshine Coast.
"Whether you want to play for the Sunshine Coast Lightning or the Scorchers, the Palaszczuk Government is helping to ensure that nobody misses out," he said.
"I’ve spent the last six months talking to people across Queensland about what we can do to help everyone be more active, kids told us that the primary reason they don’t participate in sport and recreation is because their family cannot afford the costs.
The Palaszczuk Government has invested almost $22.3 million in the sports support program since January 2015.
"Get Started Vouchers have given hundreds of thousands of young Queenslanders the opportunity to play and reap all the rewards of sport," Mr de Brenni said.
"These kids may otherwise have been sitting on the sidelines, or sitting around home, missing out on one of the best parts of growing up.
"The vouchers provide children the opportunity to join a team and learn important lessons that will guide them through life: mateship, responsibility, fair play and respect.
"And, of course, one of the biggest benefits is that it gets them away from their digital screens and out of the house … so they can get active and stay fit."
Minister de Brenni said the vouchers can be redeemed at nearly 4300 sport or recreation clubs registered with the Get Started Vouchers program.
"Eligible applicants are Queensland children and young people aged from 5 to 17 who hold, or whose parent, carer or guardian holds a valid Centrelink Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card with the child’s name on it," Mr de Brenni said.
"Alternatively, they can be identified by a registered referral agent, such as a school principal, school guidance officer, child safety officer or a police officer working with children/families in need."
Get Started Vouchers is a program under the Get in the Game initiative, which supports grassroots sport and recreation.
