ALMOST 294,000 Queensland children have taken to sporting fields, courts and pools over the past year thanks to the State Government’s Play On! Sports Vouchers, with the program helping families tackle the rising cost of junior sport.
The State Government has revealed more than 293,800 children received vouchers during the program’s first year, making it the biggest uptake since the initiative began and helping more young Queenslanders get involved in organised sport.
Soccer proved the State’s most popular sport among voucher recipients with 52,529 participants, followed by rugby league (33,972) and netball (27,369).
More than 3750 sporting clubs across Queensland now accept the vouchers, including almost 2500 clubs offering disability programs.
The program also recorded strong growth in participation among girls and children with disability, with 129,050 girls using vouchers – a 30 per cent increase on the previous scheme – while 13,917 children with disability received vouchers, up 33 per cent.
Applications for the next round of Play On! Sports Vouchers open on Monday, July 27.
The vouchers, worth up to $200, help families cover registration fees and participation costs for children aged between five and 17 years.
Parents can use the vouchers for either summer or winter sports, with dedicated allocations continuing for children with disability and those living in regional and remote Queensland.
Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander said the program was easing financial pressure on families while encouraging more children to lead active lifestyles.
“The State Government is backing Queensland families by easing cost-of-living pressures and helping more kids get involved in sport through the Play On! Sports Vouchers,” Mr Mander said.
“It’s exactly why we’ve locked in funding for the program, with $62.5 million each year for four years.
“It’s great to see strong uptake of the vouchers from outback Queensland to the Cape, as well as more girls and children with disability using their vouchers to participate in sport.”
