- Crisafulli Government to bring world-class, high-performance support closer to home through the Queensland Academy of Sport’s (QAS) new regional hub pilot program in Townsville.
- The Townsville Regional Hub will initially support up to 30 regional athletes nominated through sports, identified through the YouFor2032 Talent Search.
- The Regional Hub will strengthen the regional athlete pipeline for the Brisbane 2032 Games and beyond.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering legacy benefits for all Queenslanders for 2032 and beyond after 1,200 days of Games chaos and crisis under Labor.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering for North Queensland's next generation of elite athletes, with the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) today launching a pilot regional hub program in Townsville.
Athletes will have greater access to world-class high-performance support closer to home with Townsville to be home to the first QAS Regional Hub - which will initially be established for 12 months - strengthening the pathway for talented athletes across the region as Queensland builds towards 2032 and beyond.
Based at the Townsville Sport Precinct, athletes will have access to a high-performance gym, a dedicated strength and conditioning coach and performance support.
The pilot program will also invest in the region’s broader high-performance network by building local coaching capability through targeted coach development initiatives and reducing the need to travel to Brisbane to access key elements of QAS support.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering a Games for all of Queensland and a legacy for our athletes that lasts beyond 2032, including through our Games On! Grassroots Infrastructure program, after 1,200 days of Games chaos under the former Labor Government.
Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander said the Crisafulli Government was delivering a legacy for 2032 and beyond.
“We are delivering an Olympic and Paralympic Games for all of Queensland and North Queensland has long been a breeding ground for elite sporting talent,” Mr Mander said.
“The launch of the QAS Townsville Regional Hub is about building on that proud legacy and making sure the next generation of North Queensland athletes have access to the support and opportunities they need to reach their full potential closer to home.
“This hub is a significant investment in the region’s athletes and sporting future as we look towards Brisbane 2032 and beyond.”
Assistant Minister for North Queensland Janelle Poole said that the initiative would help athletes pursue their dreams closer to home.
“This program will support both pre-elite athletes and categorised athletes, strengthening pathways and performance support opportunities for North Queensland athletes,” Assistant Minister Poole said.
“I have been fighting for this pilot program here in regional Queensland to reduce the need for our athletes to travel to the southeast corner of the state to access QAS support.
“With QAS’s first regional representative appointed to its board under the Crisafulli Government, this is yet another way that we are ensuring regional voices are heard and regional athletes have access to the support they need to succeed.”
Queensland Academy of Sport CEO Troy Ayres said establishing a QAS presence in the regions is another important step in strengthening Queensland's regional athlete pipeline.
"The recent YouFor2032 Para testing day in Townsville reinforced the immense talent across North Queensland and we need to make sure those athletes have the opportunity to be identified, supported and developed closer to home," Mr Ayres said.
"The QAS Townsville Regional Hub gives us a stronger presence in North Queensland and importantly, a pathway to connect with athletes earlier in their journey and support them as they progress towards elite competition.
“Many talented regional athletes face barriers to accessing high performance services, expertise and support. The QAS Regional Hub brings this support directly to the athlete where they live and train.”
To learn more about the Queensland Academy of Sport; www.qasport.com.au