$100 MILLION PROGRAM SET TO NURTURE OLYMPIANS OF TOMORROW

• 32 Sunshine Coast school receives $77,153 for new equipment
• Round 2 of the $100 million Go For Gold Fund now open
• Funding aimed at supporting children to achieve their sporting best ahead of the Brisbane 2032
Olympic and Paralympic Games

Queensland’s Olympians of tomorrow will have access to state-of-the-art sporting infrastructure thanks to the Palaszczuk Government’s $100 million Go for Gold program.

After a successful first round saw 680 schools receive up to $5000 for sports equipment, Education Minister Grace Grace launched Round 2 in Cairns on Wednesday – with all Queensland schools, both state and non-state, able to receive up to $5 million for new or upgraded sports infrastructure.

Local schools successful in round one includes Nambour State College and Kairos Community College in Caloundra, with both receiving $5,000 to buy additional sporting equipment.

Set to support greater sport participation across the state, the Go for Gold fund will encourage students to be more active and potentially compete at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Round 2 of the fund offers grants in three categories up to $5 million for new or upgraded school sports infrastructure projects, with category 1 applications closing at the end of Term 2, 2023 and categories 2 and 3 applications closing at the end of Term 3, 2023. This will give all schools time to prepare applications.

Infrastructure projects are expected to cover a broad spectrum, including building new facilities, upgrading existing facilities, replacing facilities that are at the end of life, and extending the period of use of sports infrastructure.

The list of successful applicants for Round 1 are available here: https://qed.qld.gov.au/programsinitiatives/department/Documents/go-for-gold-r1-schools.pdf

Quotes attributable to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk:

“Our government is proud to back the sports superstars of tomorrow, with the equipment and infrastructure they need to make their Olympic dreams come true.

“From Badminton sets in Biggera Waters, to soccer nets on Saibai Island – schools the length and breadth of Queensland are benefitting.

“As with Round 1, we will see schools in remote and regional Queensland, and disadvantaged schools, given priority for funding for Round 2.

“This means more children around the state will experience the magic of sport.”

Quotes attributable to Education Minister Grace Grace:

“This program is about giving young Queenslanders the equipment and infrastructure they need to be more active and go for gold in 2032.

“We will prioritise schools in smaller regional and remote communities, and where the opportunities for fundraising are limited.

“Go for Gold will not only benefit schools, but it will be great for communities right across Queensland.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Nicklin, Rob Skelton MP:

“This funding will go a long way to make the Brisbane 2032 dreams of kids across Queensland come true.

“It is great to see Nambour State College successful in a round 1 for new basketball towers, soccer nets, balls, kick boards for swimming, netball uniforms and tumble mats, this is sure to have a positive impact on the school community.

“With the Olympics and Paralympics less than ten years away, now is the time to support Queensland schools with sports infrastructure to improve sports participation and help train our future sporting champions.

“I encourage all schools on the Sunshine Coast to apply for Round 2.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Caloundra, Jason Hunt MP:

‘I was absolutely delighted to see funding handed down to seven of our local schools here in Caloundra through the Go For Gold Funding program.

This program is another important step towards empowering our kids to reach their sporting best ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic games.

We are investing in a bright future for sports here on the Sunshine Coast, providing equal opportunities to a pathway for our young athletes to thrive.

Let us harness the unwavering spirit and talent within our community as we prepare for the Brisbane 2032 games.’

Further information:
More information on Go for Gold Fund can be found at https://qed.qld.gov.au/programs-initiatives/department/building-education/major-projects/school-upgrades/go-for-gold