AusLeisure

Sport and recreation activities at Woorabinda Aboriginal Community in central Queensland have a secure future as a result of renewed Queensland Government funding commitment.

Queensland Sport and Racing Minister Bill Byrne has announced funding of $9.2 million for the Indigenous Community Sport and Recreation Program for the period from 1st July through to the end of 2017.

Woorabinda is one of 38 Aboriginal and Torres Strait communities across the state assisted through the program, with activities delivered by the Queensland Police and Citizens Youth Welfare Association.

Minister Byrne said the program had achieved excellent results in engaging Indigenous communities in sport and recreation, stating "over the last two years there have been more than 700,000 occasions where participants have been engaged in an activity organised through the program, either during a season or over a period of several weeks.

“More than 7800 community volunteers have given up their time and effort to help deliver the program, ranging from coaching through to field management.

“It is programs like these that would not be able to go ahead without the many volunteers who take time out of their day to coach and assist in ensuring the programs go ahead. I am extremely thankful to all of those people.”

The Indigenous Sport and Recreation program employs 46 staff who deliver activities and events that are developed in response to community needs as identified by a local sport and recreation reference group.

Minister Byrne added "in Woorabinda, the program involves a range of sporting activities, including cricket, swimming, basketball, netball, AFL and rugby league, a full-time coordinator and more than 30 community volunteers.

“Sport and recreation has proven to have a positive impact on people’s wellbeing, and that’s particularly the case in our Indigenous communities.

“The skills learnt through sport and physical activities are transferrable to all areas of life, such as teamwork, problem solving, and taking personal responsibility for decisions made.

“It also contributes to improved child protection outcomes and reduced levels of substance abuse, truancy, juvenile crime and family violence.”

For more information on the Indigenous Community Sport and Recreation Program visit www.npsr.qld.gov.au

Woorabinda Warriors image courtesy of EPIC Employment Service.

29th May 2015 - NETBALL AUSTRALIA COMMITS TO RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN

13th March 2015 - SPORTS WITHOUT BORDERS 2015 CONFERENCE LOOKS TO COMBAT DISCRIMINATION IN SPORT

16th August 2014 - NRL LAUNCHES NEW RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN

15th June 2013 - BACKING FOR SPORT AND RECREATION PROJECTS IN FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND 

2nd December 2012 - GEMBA APPOINTED BY NRL TO DEVELOP LONG TERM STADIA STRATEGY 

6th November 2012 - $9 MILLION BOOST FOR INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES’ SPORT IN QUEENSLAND

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.