Netball Queensland has welcomed today’s announcement from the Queensland State Government of its COVID SAFE Return to Play recovery assistance package.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, in conjunction with Deputy Premier Steven Miles and Minister for Sport Mick de Brenni this morning unveiled a $51.3 million special funding initiative for community sport in preparation for the resumption of training from stage 2 of the Roadmap to Easing Restrictions beginning June 12.
The $51.3 million COVID SAFE Return to Play recovery assistance package consists of:
• COVID SAFE Active Clubs Kickstart with grants of $2,000 for up to 7,000 clubs;
• $150 FairPlay vouchers to cover sign on fees for 73,000 children from low income families, including those households affected by job losses;
• Active Restart Infrastructure Recovery Fund with grants for minor works and equipment of up to $20,000 for up to 3,000 clubs;
• Active Industry Fund providing $10.8 million across 77 state-level sporting and recreation organisations.
Netball Queensland CEO Catherine Clark said the special funding package was welcome news for Associations, Clubs and families across the State.
“Saturday netball is a way of life for the thousands of members of our netball family across Queensland and support from the State Government so we can return to play safely will be critical in bringing our community back to the courts,” Clark said.
“We have all felt the financial strain of COVID-19 and people are also feeling the impacts of social isolation and a big disruption to the way we connect with our families, friends and communities.”
“I believe sport will play a crucial role in the spiritual recovery from this pandemic and the assistance provided by the Return to Play package will help boost physical and mental wellness, as well as restore connection and cohesion for community wellness.”
“Netball will look different when we return, whether it’s the sanitisation of netballs, strict hygiene protocols for participants or the monitoring of numbers at each venue. It’s going to take careful planning so it’s great to see this package announced to help our community deal with the extra costs involved in the necessary steps to keep our community safe.”
“The health and wellbeing of our netball family, and the community more broadly, will remain our first priority when we resume. We will review the package in more detail once we receive the information and include this in our Return to Play guidelines to Netball Queensland members.”
Netball Queensland is seeking clarity from the State Government in regard to the application process for the Return to Play recovery assistance package and will provide all the relevant information to its Associations, Clubs and members as soon as it’s available.
For more information on the COVID SAFE Return to Play recovery assistance package visit www.covid19.qld.gov.au/returntoplay
