Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Ingham FC Junior Wolves player blocking the ball from an enclosing, opposing team, during the 2025 Junior Football Carnival. Photo credit: Victoria Velton
Member for Hinchinbrook Wayde Chiesa is reminding the community that the next round of Play On! Sport Vouchers opened on Monday 27th July, helping to make sure that cost isn't what keeps local kids on the sidelines.
Mr Chiesa said the Play On! Sport Vouchers program will help more kids enjoy the benefits of community sport.
"We've already seen 1,288 local children benefit from the program, and that's a fantastic outcome for Hinchinbrook families,” Mr Chiesa said.
"For many parents, the cost of registration can make it harder or unaffordable to get their kids involved in sport. These vouchers help ease the pressure.
"This is also about strengthening the local clubs and volunteers that are essential to communities. Whether it's football on a Saturday morning, netball after school or swimming at the local pool, community sport is a big part of growing up in Hinchinbrook.”
Ingham FC President Andy Towner said the vouchers were making a real difference for local families.
“The Play On! Sports vouchers have been valuable in many ways. Ingham Football Club has seen approximately 150 vouchers used to help families access representative and social soccer in 2026,” Mr Towner said.
“The increased participation of children and families in our Junior Soccer space has enabled the club to nominate many teams in the Northern Coles Miniroos and Northern Community Juniors competitions in Townsville and surrounds.
“The vouchers have helped our club to grow in numbers, something that every small-town club strives to do. These sporting opportunities help and allow our children to grow and develop physical skills, teamwork, communication and sportsmanship.
“The vouchers ease the cost pressures for parents while allowing our children to participate, learn to be part of a team, stay active and in some cases, try a new sport.”
The program has helped 1,288 local children participate in community sport through 21 activity providers across the Hinchinbrook. The vouchers are valued up to $200 and help to reduce membership, fees and participation costs for children aged between 5 and 17.
Acting Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Andrew Powell said the program has been embraced by Queensland families.
“It’s exactly why we’ve locked in funding for the program, with $62.5 million for the next four years,” Minister Powell said.
“It’s great to see strong uptake of the vouchers from the Cape to the Cassowary Coast, as well as more girls and children with disability using their vouchers to participate in sport.”
For more information: https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/sports/funding/playon
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