The North Queensland Sports Foundation (NQSF) was last week announced as the national Sport and Inclusion winner in the prestigious Australian Sport, Recreation, and Play Innovation Awards. This award recognises the work that the NQSF does to grow participation in recreation and community sport and how sport can make a difference to an inclusive society.
NQSF Senior Program Coordinator Megan Taylor said, “we are honoured to be recognised on the national stage. We work hard to make physical activity more accessible for communities that would not typically have access to these opportunities. Our place-based approach empowers local communities to not only participate in activities but also to continue delivering health and wellbeing programs long-term”.
The National Sports and Physical Activity Convention held last week bought together leading experts from across the globe to deliver practical insights and strategies to deliver active and healthy communities.
The significance of the Move It NQ program winning a second national award continues to reinforce the need for these programs in assisting regional and remote communities to live healthier, more active lifestyles.
NQSF Chair and Cairns Regional Councillor Rhonda Coghlan said “The physical benefits of sport and physical activity are well known; however global research is now highlighting the social value of active communities. The injection of $1.7M into the local economy emphasises the commitment from our member LGA’s to deliver world class programs and support the local economy and wellbeing of the community.”
The NQSF, Move It NQ program has also been selected as a finalist in the 2023 AUSactive awards for the Social Value and Community Impact award after receiving both state and national recognition for inclusion and diversity from AUSactive in 2022.
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill congratulated Move It NQ on the award and said the program would soon be rolling out across Townsville. “Council is very supportive of programs like this which help to keep the community active and engaged while boosting the liveability of the region,” Cr Hill said.
“Sport and activity programs boost local economies, builds community pride, creates positive behaviours, and fosters social inclusion. “Free Move It NQ programs classes will kick off in the next few weeks across the city and I encourage locals to get involved.”
The North Queensland Sports Foundation will recognise athletes from across North Queensland at the NQ Sports Star awards in Mackay on Saturday 4th November and hold the NQ Games in Cairns in 2024.