Get started in sport – $150 vouchers available for kids

There’s no doubt that playing sport has multiple benefits for kids – improving problem-solving skills, learning to be a good sport, playing as part of a team and developing fine and gross motor skills, to name a few.

But being part of a sport or recreational activity can be expensive. There are membership fees, uniforms, equipment, transport and other considerations. And if you have more than one child playing, the costs really begin to add up.

Queensland Sports Vouchers

That’s why the Queensland Government is again offering the $150 Get Started vouchers, to encourage families who might otherwise not be able to afford the cost of their children joining a sport or recreational activity.

More than 4,100 clubs across Queensland are registered for the Get Started Vouchers program, ensuring a huge range of activities on offer.

Millions of vouchers are snapped up every single year, but they are issued on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, so families need to be quick when applications for extra vouchers open.

Key dates 2023

Eligibility

You can apply if your child:

• Is a Queensland resident aged from 5 to 17 years (inclusive) at the time of application
• Did not already receive a FairPlay voucher this year
• Holds, or whose parent, carer or guardian holds, a valid Department of Human Services Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card with the child’s name on it.
• If you are experiencing financial hardship but don’t meet the eligibility criteria, you can seek to apply through a registered referral agent.

How to apply for a sports voucher

For more information on how to apply online for Get Started Vouchers, visit: https://www.qld.gov.au

Choosing the right sport for your child

The sports that you loved to play as a child, or enjoy as a spectator, maybe a good place to start, although you may find your kids have different ideas.

In Brisbane, we are spoilt with choice, and there is a sport to suit everyone’s individual preferences and abilities. Popular sports include netball, basketball, soccer, football, swimming, cricket and athletics, and are played in clubs around the city and surrounding areas.

But don’t overlook the less common sports, such as martial arts, fencing, hockey, rowing, gymnastics and table tennis. After all, these are all Olympic sports!

When kids are young, it’s a good opportunity to try several different sports until you hit on something that they love. It’s also a good idea to attend trial classes and “come and try” days, to ensure your child wants to commit to a whole season of that particular sport.

Sports for kids, particularly club and team-based sports, tend to be seasonal – summer and winter. Sign-on and “come and try” days for winter sports begin in late January, through to late February, and the season usually commences in March or April. Summer sports begin their sign-on and try-out days in August and September, with the season starting in October.

To find out which sports are covered by the Get Started vouchers, visit the Fair Play Provider link

You may also enjoy our post about unusual sports for kids in Brisbane.