Mr Bennett said the three-year, $16 million initiative would get more Queensland children playing sport in local clubs and help community sporting organisations with grants for equipment and field improvements.
"Get in the Game is the type of program local sporting organisations have been crying out for. It puts money where it is needed – at the grassroots - where sporting talent is fostered and social connections are made," he said.
"The tired, 20-year Labor government has focused on funding fewer, bigger projects, and has wasted vast amounts of money earmarked for sport in Queensland. An example is the failed A1 GP racing debacle – funds which would have been better spent directly by neighbourhood and regional sporting clubs.
"The LNP's Get in the Game policy has been specifically designed to boost participation in community sport and recreation throughout the state."
"Get in the Game is a responsible investment in the health and wellbeing of Queenslanders, and especially young people, now and in the future. It will also complement existing sports funding programs.
"We know the social and health benefits of children being involved in sport, and a significant part of our plan is to provide better opportunities, especially for those who can't afford it, to Get in the Game."
Get in the Game comprises three sub-programs:
· GetStarted : to provide 40,000 club registration fee contributions for kids who can't afford to join a sporting club ($6 million).
· GetGoing : to provide funding for small equipment and programs to sporting and recreation clubs to develop and expand sporting services ($2 million).
· GetPlaying : for funding sporting and recreational clubs to improve infrastructure and facilities ($8 million).
"GetStarted will be an innovative new voucher system to help kids who can't afford to join a sporting club to do so through the payment of club fees up to $150 per child. It will be limited to one voucher per year per child and will provide 40,000 sporting club memberships subsidies over the first three years of this program.
"GetGoing will provide clubs with one-off grants of up to $10,000 to be used towards equipment, club promotion materials, training, running of come-and-try-sessions and other items or activities designed to increase sporting and recreation club membership.
"GetPlaying will provide one-off funding up to $100,000 for facility development and upgrades to improve club facilities which will also assist in handling increased club membership. Eligible clubs will be required to contribute a minimum of 20 per cent of the total project cost which may include cash, in-kind support and/or volunteer labour.
"The LNP's Get in the Game policy is unashamedly about encouraging sporting development at the family and neighbourhood level.
"It is part of our plan to get Queensland back on track by improving infrastructure and planning, and reducing the cost of living for struggling Queenslanders.
"It's time for a change. It's time to get Queensland back on track."
