T227175 sportswatch autumn

Sportswatch watch Autumn 2017

What’s Inside From the QSport Office Page 3 More sporting events headed our way Page 5 QSport Board returned at AGM Page 7 FL SportsReady graduates more young trainees for work in sport Page 10 National Sports Convention pose serious question to Australian sport Page 14 Changes to Get Playing and Get Going Round 6 Page 15 New national women’s competitions score for their sports Page 16 INAS Global Games Fact Sheet Page 19 Rugby on horseback gallops into Warwick for 2019 World Cup Page 21

Left to Right: QSport Chair John Brennan OAM; Hon Mick de Brenni MP Minister for Sport and Peter Cummiskey QSport CEO, at a recent Parliamentary Friends of Surf Life Saving function in Brisbane.

Minister on front foot for sport

State Minister for Sport Mick de Brenni has wasted no time in getting to grips with many organised sport representatives and some key issues confronting the sector following his appointment earlier this year.

The State Member for Springwood, who was elected to the Queensland Parliament in 2015, had responsibility for the Government’s involvement with sport added to his roles as Minister for Housing and Public Works back in February when Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk reshuffled Cabinet.

Introductory phone calls followed by meetings with sports representatives supported by the State, including a Sport and Recreation Industry information session in March, and follow up correspondence has laid out a range of topics for engagement in the weeks leading into and beyond the upcoming State Budget in June.

QSport representatives have held a number of conversations with the Minister and his officers since he took up the sport portfolio and has moved to do so in advance of key government processes such as Commonwealth / State / Territory Sports Ministers meetings, State Budget preparations and regional meetings of the Queensland Cabinet.

QSport welcomes the opportunity to provide input and feedback to the Government of the day and for that matter, all parties, political and otherwise, which impact on organised sport in this State.

Sportswatch is a quarterly publication of QSport which is an independent collective of State sporting organisations established to enhance the development of sport in Queensland. Sportswatch aims to inform readers and views expressed in Sportswatch are not necessarily those of QSport. No responsibility is accepted by QSport for consequences emanating from actions or failures to act on material within this publication.

For contributions, advertisements and enquiries, contact the QSport Office at Sports House, Cnr Castlemaine and Caxton Streets MILTON Q 4064 Telephone 07 3369 8955 Facsimile 07 3369 8977 Email admin@qsport.org.au

From the

One of the tasks confronting the editor of any quarterly publication is how to arrive at the right balance of topical content and other less time bound material in each edition.

Executive and opted for change by evolution, not revolution, with both sides of the contest both winners and losers. We’ll watch with interest as the process moves on to the next phases(s) over time.

While one reason this autumn edition of Sportswatch is likely to turn up almost, indeed maybe, in winter, is because the other person in the QSport office who puts it together in Operations Manager Kylie Thomson has been overseas on leave, the slight delay in its release has enabled some interesting issues in sport to come to a conclusion of sorts and therefore increase the more topical content.

Of all the announcements that surfaced prior to the actual vote in Sydney the morning of May 6, the resignation of ASC Deputy Chairman Mark Stockwell made as much impact on me as any other, indeed probably more, given I know this Queenslander and have done so since the 1980’s.

In truth, I was always going to wait on the outcome of the vote for the AOC Presidency on May 6 which meant news on the Federal Budget handed down on May 9 and some other announcements also could make the cut in terms of comment / coverage in this edition.

All the above duly arrived including the latest episode in the saga that has been the falling out between ASC Chairman John Wylie and AOC President John Coates which led to the challenge to the latter continuing in his role.

And as usual in things that are largely to do with elite sport, it was about money or, in this instance, declining amounts thereof for the one thing that both Johns want in Olympic medals.

Sure there were other issues in play and brought into play, with the media giving us an insight into the extent to which the relationships between individuals and organisations have deteriorated.

It’s fair to say it’s all been coming for a while now and in some ways, predictable and for many out there in the sporting system under the elite levels, preventable.

In the end, though, the AOC voting delegates went democratically to a ballot for their President and Sportswatch - Autumn 2017

So where to from here?

Well, with all the parties appearing to have decided that enough is enough and it’s time to move on, with agreement on a national lottery to salve wounds and bridge the funding gap, the journey to Tokyo 2020 will be interesting, to say the least.

And talking of lotteries, I wonder what are the odds on a certain AOC Presidency candidate ending up as the ASC Deputy Chair to fill the vacancy created by the Stockwell departure.

But back to the root of the problem that led the two Johns to the recent fracas in money and how it is controlled and lo and behold, tough times fiscally in Canberra they may be but courtesy of the Treasurer, fifteen big ones turned up on May 9 to ensure we beat England in next year’s Gold Coast Commonwealth Games final medal tally.

So it would appear that repeating the Glasgow 2014 result of finishing second is not good enough and number one on home soil it has to be, particularly if we lose the Ashes in the cricket and the Rugby League World Cup to England late this year here in Brisbane in what will set the scene for April 2018 in the biggest sporting event here this decade.

Peter Cummiskey CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

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More sporting events headed our way The 2018 Commonwealth Games next April will undoubtedly will be the biggest sporting event in this State this decade.

It’s by no means, though, the only big event that sport will provide for specific sport participants, spectators, supporters and the general public here over the next few years.

There can be a bit of a void after something as big as next year’s Games but already other events of significance to precede and to follow Gold Coast 2018 are on the go in terms of planning and preparation.

Elsewhere in this edition of Sportswatch on Pages 21 and 22 is a piece on the 2019 Polocrosse World Cup to be held in Warwick just 12 months after the Games.

There’s also an interesting fact sheet on Page 19 on the INAS Global Games for athletes with an intellectual disability to be held in Brisbane in October 2019.

These two events, while catering for their particular sports participants, add interest generally and provide useful contribution to local economies.

And while 2017 events mentioned above, the Games next year and examples like the Polocrosse World Cup and the INAS Global Games and others in 2019 will come and go, there’ll be plenty of noise in North Queensland in 2020 when the new Townsville Stadium opens for business, with a number of sports and other entertainment no doubt becoming interested in taking advantage of what will be a welcome addition to the State’s sporting infrastructure.

The recent announcement by Sport Minister Mick de Brenni of successful bidders for Sport Infrastructure Planning Program funding to look ahead for broader more grass roots infrastructure requirement is useful for both State sporting organisations and local governments and no doubt is welcomed by those who “got the nod” this first time around.

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It all helps, given economic enhancement via sport is a sum of many parts, contributing to tourism and other related industry growth.

And of course, it’s going on all the time if one thinks about the likes of Origin One and Three at Suncorp, the upcoming Ashes Test cricket at the Gabba in November, the Rugby League World Cup semi and final at Suncorp in early December and numerous test events at various Commonwealth Games venues in a number of sports prior to April next year.

Australia’s reputation for producing top flight sporting events is strong and Games organisers and their partners in all levels of government can be expected to leave no stone unturned to ensure that reputation is maintained.

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QSport Board returned at AGM Members present at the QSport AGM held on 29 March in Brisbane have re-elected the five members of the Board whose two year terms expired prior to the AGM. They are Janne Ellis, Executive Director of Diving Queensland (representing the Aquatic Sports Group); Rob Moore, Queensland Rugby League Managing Director (representing the Field Team Group); Kym Dowdell OAM, CEO of Gymnastics Queensland (representing the Indoor Sports Group); Matt Helmers, CEO of Equestrian Queensland (representing the Outdoor Group) and Ken Rogers, Principal of Rogers Educational Enterprises (Independent).

The Board also has reviewed proposed operationalisation of the 2017-20 QSport Strategic Plan developed late last year and progress with negotiation of State Government support for the implementation of aspects of the plan in 2017-19.

At the time of writing, discussions with the Minister and his officers were continuing with a view to finalising support before the end of the first half of the year.

In the meantime, the QSport Office continues to provide services to members and other supporters involved with the State’s longstanding sports collective.

They join John Brennan OAM, CEO of Surf Life Saving Queensland (representing Aquatics Group); Louisa Begley, CEO of Hockey Queensland (representing Field Team Group); Kate Eggar, Sports Taekwondo Queensland delegate to QSport (representing Indoor Group) and John Mullins, Partner in Mullins Lawyers (Independent) who are serving the second year of their two year terms.

Filling of the casual vacancy for a second Board member representing the Outdoor Group resulting from the resignation in February of Cameron Pearson, former CEO of Tennis Queensland and back in Melbourne as Tennis Australia’s Director of Major Events, has been placed on hold for the time being at least while the QSport Board is looking at aspects of the governance of the State’s major representative body for sport that has existed largely unchanged since the mid 1990’s.

At the first Board meeting since the AGM in March held on 21 April, John Brennan, Rob Moore and Kate Eggar were returned unopposed as Chair, Deputy Chair and Treasurer respectively.

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AFL SportsReady graduates more young trainees for work in sport.

Thursday evening 16 March saw another 69 young people evolve from AFL SportsReady’s Queensland based employment and training operation as its class of 2016 graduated at its 12th annual Graduation Ceremony, held again at Victoria Park Golf Course in inner northern Brisbane.

Representatives of the program’s 41 host employers mingled with graduates and members of their families and friends and other invited guests as graduates were presented with certificates acknowledging completion of mainly Certificates in a range of activities dominated by….

between 140 and 160 young trainees in place on a rolling basis each year in disparate locations from Cooktown to Coffs Harbour to Charleville and Mt Isa. The 41 host employers in 2016 included AFL Queensland, the Queensland Rugby League, Queensland Cricket, the Brisbane Broncos, the Brisbane Lions, the Gold Coast Suns, two golf clubs and three swim schools.

Shane Johnson, the former Tasmanian who in earlier times was QAFL State Director of Coaching and Brisbane Lions Player Development Manager

A small number of special awards also were made available for outstanding achievement and were awarded as follows: • Chris Johnson / Angie Nadrere Cups Personal Development Award – won by Ford Clancy (Brisbane Broncos) • School Based Trainee of the Year – won by Dakota Mundine (Clarence Valley Council) • Host Plus Rising Star Winners – won by Kiani Raklander (Somerset College) and Jane Youngs (The Portrait Store) • Trainee of the Year – won by Jemma Whitnall (Queensland Rugby League)

AFL SportsReady also acknowledged Australia Post with a recognition award for its five years of involvement in the program which kicked off in Queensland 12 years ago and these days has 10

Sportswatch - Autumn 2017

through the club’s triple premiership era was generously acknowledged for his ten year service to AFL SportsReady as its Queensland Manager.

From humble beginnings, here under former Brisbane Lions premiership star Craig McRae, the Queensland Office based at Sports House South at the Gabba has grown to seven staff and provides an annual stream of young people who via AFL SportsReady’s committed band of workers and host employers have been assisted to find a future via a traineeship system that has been a feature of the Australian employment and training landscape since the mid 1980’s.

AFL SportsReady is an Associate Member of QSport who was represented at the graduation ceremony by CEO Peter Cummiskey.

Sporting organisations interested in engaging trainees or providing placement opportunities can contact AFL SportsReady on 3217 3500.

Former Cairns teenage Jemma Whitnall, who completed her traineeship with the QRL, celebrates her Trainee of the Year Award with James Montogomery the CEO of AFL SportsReady.

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Left to Right:- QSport CEO Peter Cummiskey joined AFL SportsReady State Manager Shane Johnson and Col Smith, Manager Sports Houses, at the AFL SportsReady Annual Graduation and Awards evening at the Victoria Park Function Centre.

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The AFL SportsReady team gather proudly at the end of the Annual Graduation and Awards evening.

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National Sports Convention poses serious question to Australian sport Organisers of the upcoming National Sports Convention in Melbourne in July have worked with key sporting organisations to bring together national and some overseas policy makers and influencers to focus on how the sport sector – some would say an industry – can further evolve to generate greater participation.

Close to 100 global, national and local speakers will share trends, strategies and case studies over three days (and nights, no doubt) from 19 to 21 July with an expected 500 participants.

Last year’s similar event in Sydney carried an associated emphasis on surfaces on which sports are played and while that continues this year as an attendant stream, the addition of a Community Sport Think Tank on the first day is a positive development of this annual exercise.

With a clear direction to focus on how to activate more of the Australian community to participate in sport, it will feed conclusions into the Convention proper and a Q & A panel session on the final third day of the Convention.

The overall program includes keynote speakers from England, Canada, New Zealand, Asia and Australia and participants will have the opportunity to ask hard questions around changing priorities and resources based on what can be learned from overseas and locally to enhance participation.

QSport as a member of Community Sport Australia is a supporter of the Convention again this year and persons interested in attending can contact Convention organiser Martin Sheppard on 03 9421 0133

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Changes to Get Playing and Get Going Round 6 Minister for Sport Mick De Brenni has announced changes to Round 6 of the Get Playing Places and Spaces and Get Going Clubs grants that takes account of the impact of Cyclone Debbie and associated flooding on sporting clubs.

These changes are based on industry feedback and to further support disaster affected clubs across Queensland.

The Minister is bringing forward the opening date for both grants as outlined below: Amended Program Opening Date 19 June 2017 Closing Date 11 August 2017

Original Program 3 July 2017 1 September 2017

• Increased the maximum funding available for Get Playing Places and Spaces from $100,000 to $150,000 to help clubs with the costs of building infrastructure.

• Organisations seeking support for funding from Get Playing Places and Spaces for projects in disaster declared Local Government Areas (LGAs) will not need to contribute to the project, unless the total project cost is above $150,000, and projects requesting funding as a result of damage will be prioritised through the assessment process.

Further changes to both programs include:

• Organisations funded in Round 5 of Get Going Clubs that would usually not be eligible for funding in Round 6 but are within disaster declared LGAs will now be able to apply.

• Increasing the Round 6 Get Playing Places and Spaces budget by $4 million (from $11m to now $15m)

For more information, please visit https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/sports/ funding/getinthegame/

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New national women’s competitions score for their sports 2017 will go down as a landmark year for sport in this country for two of our biggest sports in AFL and netball successfully launching new national competitions.

The new look all Australian Suncorp Super Netball competition that arose from the dissolution of the Trans-Tasman competition that ran for nine years has rolled onto the scene this year with eight Australian teams as opposed to five in the previous top level format.

Greater exposure via free to air television coverage, with more games and more opportunities for emerging Australian talent, has been a big step forward in the transition of netball to a growth phase than can sustain a world class longer season for increasingly better resourced and remunerated elite level players and coaches, enhancing pathways to the international dimension where the world champion Diamonds reign supreme.

Netball Queensland has maintained its powerful Firebirds brand and newcomer in the Sunshine Coast Lightning has proved a worthy local on court rival for its Brisbane based neighbour.

The sport’s stocks continue to grow in what Netball Queensland CEO Catherine Clark advances has been a strong, albeit challenging start as Netball Australia’s member bodies and new privately owned franchises come to grips with a new product that will benefit from tweaking before next year’s second season as the participants seek to build the most sustainable “pie” for all involved and grow the overall netball economy.

The 21 imports in the competition this year alongside the increased number of locals on court are at the forefront of a competition that will provide an upcoming generation with improving conditions, longer contracts and more opportunities to become fully professional in their sport of choice.

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As this promise looms large for netball aficionados, the country’s biggest sport specific brand in the AFL with its second to none resources has stepped up its program with the arrival of its eye opening new NAB AFL Women’s competition that surpassed earlier moderate expectations to bounce onto the national sporting landscape with a great first up performance.

In doing so, it proved a more than useful prelude to the AFL premiership season proper.

There’s no doubt that interest in this new offering from the AFL that was brought forward in its planning with introduction this year was aided here by the performance of a Brisbane Lions outfit written off early by southern code pundits.

With excellent television ratings for games that provided viewing content not seen before at this time of year, particularly in the northern States, free entry to matches saw great crowds, culminating over 15,000 in attendance at Metricon Stadium for a top class final won by the Adelaide Crows over the previously undefeated Lions.

AFL Queensland CEO Dean Warren advises that the new look women’s comp’s success and that of a Brisbane outfit that fielded 22 local Queenslanders out of its 27 complement has helped the code towards achieving a targeted 100,000 females participating in teams across the State with a 20% increase over 2016 in teams in AFL Queensland’s QSchools Cup competition and an extra 50 women’s teams in community based competitions.

With the AFL opting to consolidate on its stunning first up AFLW completion performance before considering expansion for 2019, this latest and newest addition to the national women’s sport space is ell placed for growth.

In years to come, it will move inevitably towards a more professional career path for young emerging talented women keen to maker their mark in Australia’s indigenous game.

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Rugby on horseback gallops into Warwick for 2019 World Cup The world’s best are coming to Warwick in April 2019 for the Polocrosse World Cup. 300 competitors, 1,000 horses, 60,000+ spectators and 2,000 international guests will inject an estimated up to $10m into the local regional economy.

The Queensland Southern Downs will host this world-class, Australian made sport for its World Cup in 2019 at Warwick’s Morgan Park for a week from 22 to 28 April.

Combining the strategy of netball, the toughness of rugby, and the ball skills of lacrosse and all at pace on horseback, polocrosse started in Australia and the sport will celebrate 80 years in 2019. The World Cup will bring players from eight countries – Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, USA, UK, Ireland, Zambia and Zimbabwe – to southern Queensland to battle out for the championship title. Current champions South Africa will be looking to hold their title, while former champs Australia will use a home turf advantage to try and keep the 2109 World Cup on home soil.

Close to 15,000 cheering spectators and competitors filled the sidelines at Morgan Park from 20 to 23 April this year to witness Australia take on reigning world champions South Africa in both men and women’s competitions and also the official launch of the 2019 World Cup on the morning of 21 April MC’d by local Leyburn legend rugby league’s Channel 7 sports caster Shane Webcke.

Alongside the three Test series, nearly 300 action packed games were contested over four days Sportswatch - Autumn 2017

including a State of Origin based series involving Queensland, NSW, Victoria and WA and a thrilling win by home club Warwick to take the Shell Cup, the oldest club trophy in the sport.

For the record, Australia won the men’s Test matches, South Africa the women’s series and sad to say, NSW took out the origin series in the men’s competitions over runners up Queensland, hopefully not a portent of things to come when the Blues take on the Maroons in rugby league’s show piece in the weeks ahead.

Action from the international matches against South Africa appears on page 22.

With the large turnout attendance wise and the excellent standard of play on show over the four days of competition polocrosse legend and Warwick Club President Les Fraser is optimistic that the 2019 World Cup will surpass previous such events held since the inaugural World Cup there in 2003 won by Australia.

For his efforts in coordinating the inaugural world Cup in Warwick that year, the longstanding servant of this highly popular family friendly sport in rural and regional Australia particularly was adjudged the Queensland Sport Volunteer of the Year at the annual Sport Awards Presentation in 2003.

Put April 2019 in your diaries. It’s a World Cup with a difference and one well worth a look.

For further information, contact Marketing Manager Linda Tillman on 0439 192 193 or Les Fraser on 0419 714 545.

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