Words: Staff Writer
Image: Rob Morris/Palm Beach SC

Palm Beach SC have received a funding boost for lighting upgrades to Mallawa Complex courtesy of the Queensland Government's Get In The Game initiative.

Member for Burleigh Michael Hart MP joined Minister for Recreation and Sport Steve Dickson last week to hand over a cheque for $100,000 that will enable to club to upgrade lighting at the venue.

Palm Beach Director Paul Jenkins said the lighting project would help consolidate the club, allowing it to conduct training at the one venue instead of having to split up its teams for training.

“What this means is that by being able to accommodate all our teams for training, and particularly the juniors, it gives the club a true home base,” Jenkins said.

“This home base will allow the club to cater for teams in both men’s and women’s, and junior and senior divisions of both the National Premier League and the local competitions.”

He further explained that the lighting upgrade will complement upgrades to the playing surface at the venue funded by Gold Coast City Council.

“With the implementation of this project, and with the Gold Coast City Council's assistance, the club will be able to rotate and better manage the usage of the sports fields to minimise over usage.”

“By uniting the teams that represent the club, more juniors and seniors may be attracted to the club, which represents the Gold Coast at the National Premier League level,” Jenkins said.

Sport and Recreation Minister Steve Dickson said Get in the Game continued to deliver for sports clubs with additional Get Going funding soon to be announced.

“We made an election commitment to get more young Queenslanders involved in recreation and sport, and we are delivering through these highly successful programs,” Dickson said.

“The response to Get Going and Get Playing has been overwhelming, and the projects that have been delivered under these programs have made a real difference to local communities, and I look forward to seeing more improvements.”

Member for Burleigh Michael Hart said the funding will be a boost to sports participation in his electorate.

“Palm Beach Soccer Club will use their Get Playing funding of $100,000 to install field lighting, which will promote participation among members and be of great benefit to the local community,” Hart concluded.

The Queensland Government’s Get in the Game initiative supports sport and recreation at the grassroots level and involves three funding programs - Get Started, Get Going, Get Playing - worth $47.8 million over the next three years.