Member for Kawana Jarrod Bleijie and Sport and Recreation Minister Steve Dickson today congratulated the Kawana Soccer Club on their upgraded fields at Stockland Park Western Precinct in Bokarina.

Mr Bleijie said the Queensland Government was proud to contribute $99,900 towards the project through the Get Playing program, one of three programs that make up the government’s Get in the Game initiative.

“The new field drainage will be a welcome upgrade for this iconic local club and will benefit the entire local community,” Mr Bleijie said.

“In 2012 and 2013 up to one third of all training sessions and games had to be cancelled due to wet weather and the inability of the fields to drain appropriately.

“With the new drainage in place 2014 is set to be a bumper season for Kawana Soccer Club, Kawana Touch Association, Sunshine Coast Churches Soccer Association, Buddina State School, Chancellor State College and Sunshine Coast Fire Football Club who all use these fields.”

Club President Brad Lloyd said the new drainage would ensure the fields dry out quickly and would reduce the need for repair work over the course of each football season.

Mr Dickson said the government was keen to encourage more Queenslanders to get involved in recreation and sport activity at all levels.

“We believe participation and success begin with a strong focus on grassroots sport and recreation,” he said.

“It is the reason the government introduced the Get in the Game initiative.

“Get in the Game involves three funding programs—Get Started, Get Going and Get Playing—worth $47.8 million over three years.

“These programs not only provide clubs with better equipment and facilities, but also give children who might not otherwise be able to afford it the opportunity to play sport,” he said.

For more information on Get in the Game, visit www.nprsr.qld.gov.au