Grant program to help Wide Bay sporting events bounce back

March 9, 2022

Applications for grants of up to $50,000 are now open for projects to support community sporting events in the Gympie, Fraser Coast, South Burnett and Cherbourg local government areas, Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien announced today.

Mr O’Brien said the Liberals and Nationals Government’s Regional Sport Events Fund will assist community sporting events across the region with an aim of kick-starting the economy and encouraging visitors back to Wide Bay.

“Sport is an integral part of life in Wide Bay, it’s the glue that brings our communities together, and this program aims to help bring back our community sporting events and fast-track the recovery from what’s been a very challenging period for the region with the recent floods and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr O’Brien said.
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“The Australian Government is recognising the valuable role local sporting clubs and associations play in Wide Bay and throughout Australia, and encouraging people to reunite and socialise through sport.

“Sporting events such as championships and state finals also play a significant role in supporting our economy, bringing both participants and spectators to the region, so these grants will also benefit the hospitality and tourism sector, and the small businesses that are central to our local economy.”

Eligible events can include ‘come and try’ sport days, multi-sport festivals, sport exhibitions, hosting of visiting professional or elite sporting teams, regional or State sporting competitions, professional sporting code events, and elite competitions.

The $1.9 million Regional Sport Events Fund investment will be available through two funding streams:

  • Stream One – Small Community Sporting Events – this non-competitive, demand-driven stream provides grants of $1,000 to $10,000 for small community sporting events, with a total value of $1 million. Applications close 8 April 2022, 2.00 PM AEDT, unless the fund is exhausted prior. 
  • Stream Two – Large Regional Sporting Events – this competitive stream is open to Councils in eligible LGAs with grants of $15,000 to $50,000 available, to a total value of $900,000. Applications close 8 April 2022, 2.00 PM AEDT.

Minister for Sport, Richard Colbeck, said the resumption of these events will have wide-ranging benefits for regional and remote communities.

“Community sport has been hit hard right across Australia as a result of the pandemic – but we all understand the power of local competition and the opportunities it presents to bring communities together,” Minister Colbeck said. 

“This fund will support many of the events that were cancelled or postponed to resume and encourages local government to be creative in how they re-engage with their local area.”

Local government areas are encouraged to work with local sporting clubs and organisations to deliver fantastic sports events to their respective communities.

More details about the program, including the Fund Guidelines and closing dates can be found on Sport Australia’s Grants and Funding page, here.

WELCOME TO WIDE BAY

In the spirit of Australia, I acknowledge all citizens who contribute to making our nation the greatest on earth.

I acknowledge our defence force personnel, past, present, and emerging, for their service to our nation, and particularly those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the defence of Australia.

I also acknowledge the Australian taxpayers who, through their hard work, pay for the infrastructure, health, education, and emergency services that keep our proud nation healthy, safe, and prosperous.