SSportswatchportswatch

Autumn 2011

Queensland sport fi ghts back after spate of natural disasters

As our part of the world has reeled from one major natural and there’s been plenty happening on that disaster after another these past few months, most front to pull us all back to pre disaster event sporting bodies in Queensland impacted on by fl oods times. and cyclones since last Christmas are well on the road to recovery, assisted by government, businesses and their It’s worth remembering, though, that for own communities. those directly affected and in many cases, still dealing with the results of fl oods, With typical Queenslander grit, the task of restoring sporting cyclones, earthquakes and tsunamis, sport activities and facilities, where possible, is well underway, is still just a distraction – but, hopefully, a assisted by the State’s Flood Fightback for Sport $24 welcome one. million package and complemented by local governments in affected areas – not forgetting the Commonwealth contribution to wider infrastructure rebuilding over time. Inside And as most Queenslanders have refl ected on how From the QSport Offi ce Page 3 relatively fortunate they are compared to those who lost BCEC Bounces Back Page 6 loved ones and friends, homes and businesses, media have Sports CONNECT Forum Page 7 reminded us at the front of newspapers and the top of news bulletins of the subsequent tragedies of Christchurch ACT for Kids Page 8 and in Japan and at the back of those papers and end Blue Card Ten Years On Page 9 of those bulletins of how sport can, temporarily at least, distract and uplift its communities to go on to deal with Commonwealth Games Bid Page 11 what has to be done. BCC Package to assist Community Page 12 and Sports Groups It’s happened before and will happen again but has there been a more stark example than the night of Sunday 13 Canterbury Uniform Winners Page 13 March in Brisbane, when the world watched the horror Queensland Sport Hall of Fame of the death and destruction in parts of Japan as many Inductees Page 16 Queenslanders also kept an eye on what turned out to Good Sports Record Growth Page 17 be one of the all time great uplifting sporting moments in our history as the world game’s Brisbane Roar “roared” “There was movement…” Page 18 back from the jaws of defeat to clinch a very well deserved A-League crown?

With each passing week following such events, the impact on those not directly involved lessens as media attention inevitably moves on to more topical fare, including sport,

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 Offi ce at Sports House, Cnr Castlemaine and Caxton Streets MILTON Q 4064 Telephone 07 3369 8955 Facsimile 07 3369 8977 Email [email protected]

From the OOffiffi cece

Well, what a year it’s been to date for Queensland, $10,000 worth of gear to ten affected clubs? some other parts of and the wider Pacifi c Rim, what with fl oods in Victoria, fi res in WA and Only at the Federal level has the brawl over the catastrophic events in Christchurch and Japan Flood Relief Levy reminded us that the fl oods were following on Yasi and the biggest fl oods here since in Queensland, not Canberra. the 1970’s. Much of the past few months has been With Mother Nature reminding us all of her power, anything but normal but it has reminded us all sport has been confronted by diffi culties that in that despite the pace at which we live our lives turn required optimism as a core feature of how pushing community further back in some minds, we go about the task of restoring sport’s overall “community” in various shades is alive in most. stocks before settling back into the more routine, long haul job of expanding its reach for the benefi t The QSport Offi ce was not negatively impacted on of our communities, now and into the future. physically by the Brisbane fl oods. None of its three staff were seriously disrupted, albeit the premises Fixing up disaster impacted sporting bodies has at Sports House were out of bounds for close its diffi culties and in the end, an optimistic result to a week – small change, indeed, in the overall for sport will be a sum of parts affected declaring scheme of things. “we’re back in business”. The impact on Queensland sport, by and large, will Thankfully, there is cause for optimism, given the be dealt with over time. Dealing with the impact response to the task in the sport sector. on the State of Queensland, its economy and its fi scal position, though, will play out on a much The State, to its credit, has responded well to the tougher and longer road. crisis, with Sport Minister Phil Reeves having visited many of the affected clubs and moved quickly to As the year rolls on and the next State election consult QSport on relocating funds in his Sport looms closer, we’ll hear all about that and while and Recreation allocation towards fl ood recovery. one can be loath to proffer advice, recent events bring to mind a couple of one liners, as cooperation Local governments in affected areas have in emergency turns inevitably to confrontation, responded to different degrees, with Brisbane and particularly in election campaigns, as follows: Ipswich City Council representatives meeting with QSport members in the early post fl ood stages to - “a pessimist sees the diffi culty in every discuss impacts and how assistance was being / opportunity” can be delivered. - “an optimist sees the opportunity in every In sport itself, there have been many examples of diffi culty” sports and sponsors assisting others affected by recent natural disasters and while to single out Sport and politics are about diffi culty and some above others has its risks, what about well opportunity and as history suggests there’s no known Queensland rugby union man Greg Martin signifi cant prize for pessimists, you can expect to and friends putting together the Classic Bledisloe hear a fair bit about optimism, notwithstanding fundraiser at Ballymore on 10 March attended by any diffi culty inherent in our collective lot. over 20,000 and raising some $400,000 for our Kiwi cousins in Christchurch. Sport and politics are also about plans and programs, personalities and policies but as history And sticking with things Canterbury, how about also suggests, not in that order and not necessarily QSport sponsor Canterbury International providing in equal measure.

Sportswatch - Autumn 2011 3 Time will tell which teams get the balance right funded outcomes and deliverables” this time last when the caper‘s up and the fi nal scores go on year. the board. With the State Government consequently By the time this edition of Sportswatch reaches extending core support for QSport into 2011-13, readers in mid autumn, we’ll be a month past the my task - assisted by the other two QSport staffers QSport AGM for 2010 held in March and staring - will be to maintain and enhance support for both at a longer Easter break than usual, given Anzac QSport members and other key stakeholders to Day falls this year on Easter Monday. assist the development of sport in this State.

The QSport Board elected at the AGM is There are some new deliverables here and there for unchanged from the previous year for the fi rst time QSport in return for continued State support and in some years and will have held its fi rst meeting QSport members in attendance at the fi rst round since the AGM, including hold discussions with of Sport Group meetings for this year in March Minister Reeves on restoration of sporting clubs have been apprised of what’s required these next and facilities impacted on by the abovementioned few years. natural disasters. There is nothing unreasonable in any of this and Reiterating QSport Chair Richard Griffi ths’ annual QSport members overall can be assured that report to QSport members at the AGM, the provided there is continued reasonable support QSport Board of ten continues “to have a useful from the majority of members, as in years past, blend of several longstanding members and other QSport can be expected to meet its core objectives. relatively new faces and as such, has seen no great need to change the way in which Directors come and go from the Board, a Board that was pleased to receive a very positive ‘report card’ from State Government auditors who reviewed and assessed PETER CUMMISKEY the performance of the Board and staff against Chief Executive Offi cer.

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BCEC Bounces Back

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, the for the remainder of 2011 with a record 112 venue for key QSport fundraisers such as the annual conventions, of which 19 will each bring in excess Queensland Sport Awards Presentation took only of 1,000 delegates to Brisbane. two weeks - while media reports of Brisbane’s fl oods were still current - to confi rm its fast paced This year’s annual Sport Awards Presentation recovery by hosting four events and welcoming in November / December will be enhanced by 5,000 guests for Australia’s national day. the elevation of Queensland Sport Hall of Fame inductees to Legend status – once again, making The impact of fl ooding at the Merivale Street for another night to remember for Queensland Centre was signifi cantly less than we anticipated Sport and longstanding supporter in BCEC. with the Centre’s event spaces unaffected and water intrusion limited to car parking and service Just once in the past fi fteen years of the Awards areas. has there been a need to move from the intimate surrounds of the Centre’s Plaza Ballroom, that The centre hit the ground running and hosted 48 occurring in 2009 when the inaugural Hall of Fame events in February including fi ve headline concerts induction swelled the usual average attendance by Kenny Rogers and Billy Connolly with attendances of 800 by 50% to 1,200 and the Great Hall was of over 17,000 people and four conferences which required. each averaged over 1,000 delegates. Time will tell whether the Legends necessitate And BCEC is looking forward to a busy calendar such a move once again in 2011.

6 Sportswatch - Autumn 2011 Sporting Wheelies Annual Sports CONNECT State Sporting Organisations (SSO) Forum

The annual Sports CONNECT State Sporting This year, the forum will be split into two different Organisations (SSO) forum is coming up on sessions. The morning session is for those new to the Wednesday 25 May 2011 at the Indooroopilly Golf Sports CONNECT framework (5.45am- 12.40pm) Club. and the afternoon session (12noon – 3.45pm) for those experienced in Sports CONNECT. There will This forum is an opportunity for both those new be a networking lunch from 12noon – 12.40pm to, and experienced in, the Sports CONNECT to provide a chance for the two groups to meet, framework to explore best practices, challenges network and share experiences and ideas. and key elements for success in the inclusion of people with disabilities in sport and active For more information contact Kylie Walker on recreation. phone no. 3253 3333.

Sportswatch - Autumn 2011 7 Minister launches new partnership between Child Safety and Sport

The Hon. Phil Reeves MP, Minister for Child Safety ambassadors for ACT for Kids, who provide and Minister for Sport helped launch a unique free professional therapy for children who have partnership between Softball Queensland and ACT experienced the trauma of abuse and neglect. for Kids at Brisbane’s Downey Park on Saturday 12 March. Softball Queensland General Manager Sue Nisbet said there are meaningful synergies between the The launch was scheduled to coincide with the values of Softball Queensland and ACT for Kids Brisbane Softball grand fi nals which draw together which the organisations look forward to promoting hundreds of softball fans and players. through their newly formed union.

A key component of the partnership will see Other QSport members could well consider a elite Queensland softball players perform as similar linkage.

(Left to Right) Queensland Patriots player Luke Van de Greindt, Softball Queensland General Manager Sue Nisbet, Minister for Child Safety and Minister for Sport Phil Reeves, ACT for Kids executive manager Kathryn Lambert, and Queensland Heat co-captains Melinda Weaver and Jodie Bowering.

8 Sportswatch - Autumn 2011 Blue Card Ten years on

The State’s Commission for Children and Young children and be issued with a Blue Card quickly People and Child Guardian is to celebrate the escalated from some 1,100 applications received tenth anniversary of the establishment of the Blue in the fi rst two months to over 58,000 in the fi rst Card system in Queensland on 6 May. full year of 2001-02.

The system is an important part of the State’s By 2009-10, the annual number received had efforts to establish and maintain safe service reached nearly 280,000. environments for children and young people across a range of child-related organisations throughout Since its inception, over 1.5 million Blue Cards Queensland, not the least of which are sporting have been issued and over 4,200 people prevented bodies. from working with children.

Sport has had its issues with aspects of the system Host of a function on 6 May acknowledging the over the years and there have been signifi cant tenth anniversary will be Commissioner Elizabeth scope changes since its inception in May 2001. Fraser. Also present will be the Commission’s Employment Screening Director Michelle Miller The number of applications for checks of an who has worked from day one on the Blue Card applicant’s past police and disciplinary information system with whom QSport and many member (if any) in order to be deemed eligible to work with organisations have dealt with over the years.

Where would we be Every day of every year our without our local not-for-profit community clubs provide vital services and community facilities for members and the greater community.

clubs Without them, who would fund the work of legacy and RSLs caring for our veterans and their families? Without them our kids could be without local sporting fields and the chance to play for our towns, our State or our country. Our beaches might not be patrolled and our artists may not have places to perform. Without them our community would go without $668 Million that’s reeinvested in local communities each year and 26,900 jobs. How could government fund the replacement of $$1.71.7 billionbil in clubs’ assets in Queensland?

clubsqld.com.auclu

Sportswatch - Autumn 2011 9 Premier to travel to Kuala Lumpur to lodge Commonwealth Games bid

Premier Anna Bligh will travel to Kuala Lumpur one question time at Parliament and this is a in May with Gold Coast Lord Mayor Ron Clarke measure of just how important I see this event for and representatives from the Federal Government the Gold Coast and Queensland. to offi cially lodge the Gold Coast 2018 “I will be joined by Gold Coast Lord Mayor Commonwealth Games Bid. Ron Clarke and representatives from the “After the summer of natural disasters it is Federal Government and Games executives important that we continue to seek out new and we will formally present the Bid Book at an opportunities for our State,” said Ms Bligh. offi cial ceremony attended by guests from the Commonwealth Games Federation.” “That is why I remain absolutely committed to our Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Bid. The Premier said the 51,000 word, 240 page ‘Book’ is almost fi nished and the bid team are currently “I will travel to Kuala Lumpur in May with the putting the fi nal touches to the Queensland entry. Australian Commonwealth Games Association to “The bid has been delivered over the last 12 offi cially submit the Bid Book for Games Bid. months and covers 15 themes from transport, “The timing of the bid means I will miss at least health and security through to accommodation,

10 Sportswatch - Autumn 2011 sports and venues and the Games Village,” said The 71 Commonwealth Games Association Ms Bligh. representatives from Oceania, Europe, Caribbean, Americas, Asia and Africa will commence their “I have been impressed with the enthusiasm and visits to assess the City’s capabilities from July contribution of so many stakeholders involved in through to the end of October. the bids publication. “If we do win the games, and I am confi dent that “This is one very detailed and technical document we can, it will be the only major international outlining exactly how we would deliver the Gold sporting event in Australia for the next decade,” Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games and the end said the Premier. product will be very impressive. “Like the rest of the State the Gold Coast has been “Planning and coordinating the appropriate through diffi cult times and these games would contributions from so many stakeholders for be a major boost in morale and an indicator of an event of this size and prestige in 2018 was the better times that lie ahead.” concludes the thorough and professional and their collective Premier. support has been outstanding - it is indicative of the support in the community for the Bid. A successful bid also would see the latest piece of Queensland sporting infrastructure in the Carrara “I am excited and proud for Queensland and Stadium further upgraded in a scenario similar to Australia - we see the potential to host the the 2006 Games which resulted in a Commonwealth Games as a major catalyst for major upgrading of the northern side of the MCG. development, growth and international recognition and a positive move forward for our state.” Such upgrades are of signifi cant long term benefi t to sports other than those involved in the The Bid Book lodgement on 11 May 2011 will be Commonwealth Games and further enhancing closely followed by a visit to the Gold Coast by the legacy aspect of a festival of sports that will the Commonwealth Games Federation Evaluation feed such across sport support. Commission in June.

Sportswatch - Autumn 2011 11 BCC Package to assist Community and Sports Groups

Former Lord Mayor Campbell Newman unveiled January, and more than 220 fi elds, courts, greens an $11.83m package in March to assist all Brisbane and sheds were affected, “ Cr Newman said. community and sporting groups damaged in the “Brisbane City Council’s Community Facility Flood January fl oods. Recovery Package will aid in the recovery of clubs’ Cr Newman said the Community Facility Flood facilities along with the Lord Mayor’s Community Recovery Package would provide direct fi nancial Disaster Relief Fund,” Cr Newman said. assistance, free rent periods and capital funding “Clubs will receive a one-off $5,000 payment to the many Brisbane sporting and community and can apply for additional grants funding of groups affected by the fl ood. up to $150,000 for facilities to assist with their “Eight-four community and sporting clubs across rebuilding, as well as free rent periods. 46 suburbs were devastated by fl ooding in

sponsor of the Queensland Sport Awards

12 Sportswatch - Autumn 2011 Canterbury International winners of the “Uniforms for Disaster Affected Sports Clubs” Program

In support of local sports groups across Queensland • Brisbane Basketball Association recently affected by natural disasters, Canterbury • Karalee Tornadoes International together with QSport has given away $10,000 worth of free uniforms distributed among • Warwick Hockey Association 10 disaster affected clubs across Queensland. • Mission Beach Club The ten clubs are spread across Queensland’s General Manager of Canterbury Team Wear disaster affected areas and represent seven Clayton McErlane said Canterbury look forward different sports. The winning clubs are: to playing a signifi cant role in helping local sports groups get back on their feet following the • Warwick Hack and Pony Club devastation experienced earlier this year. • Pine Rivers AFL Club “The wide range of areas and sports represented • Goodna Junior Rugby Union Club here truly demonstrate the scale of Queensland’s • Glenore Grove Cricket Club disasters”. • Kilkivan Pony Club “Canterbury is proud to be supplying ten local sports groups with a such a boost when it’s most • Goodna and Districts Junior Rugby League and needed”. Football Club

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Sportswatch - Autumn 2011 15 Queensland sport supported by coordinated by

Inductees(as at end 2010) ATHLETE MEMBERS Wayne Grady Herb Steinohrt Wendy Turnbull Greg Norman AFL Peter Senior Shane Webcke WATER POLO Marcus Ashcroft Norman von Nida Kevin Walters Naomi Castle Jason Dunstall Karrie Webb Steve Walters Debbie Handley Alastair Lynch Michael Voss HOCKEY RUGBY UNION TRIATHLON Tracey Belbin Des Connor Brad Beven ATHLETICS Debbie Bowman John Eales Jackie Gallagher Denise Boyd Greg Browning Roger Gould Loretta Harrop Norma Croker Renita Farrell Tim Horan Catherine Freeman Pam Glossop Tom Lawton YACHTING Hec Hogan Mark Hager Jason Little John Anderson Michael Nugent Clover Maitland Mark Loane Tom Anderson Glynis Nunn Jenny Morris Michael Lynagh John Cuneo Arthur Postle Don McWatters Bill McLean Charles Porter Paul McLean GENERAL MEMBERS Geoffrey Trappett HORSE RACING Tom Richards Mick Dittman Tony Shaw AFL BASEBALL Darby McCarthy Andrew Slack Leigh Matthews Dave Nilsson George Moore Mel Schumacher SOFTBALL ATHLETICS BASKETBALL Neville Sellwood Joyce Lester Reg Brandis Sandy Brondello Leroy Loggins ICE RACING SQUASH BASKETBALL Alison Mosely Steven Bradbury Michelle Martin Brian Kerle Larry Sengstock LAWN BOWLS SURFING CRICKET BOXING Rob Parrella Wayne Bartholomew John Buchanan Elley Bennett Hector Thompson MOTOR CYCLING SURF LIFE SAVING FOOTBALL Mick Doohan Karla Gilbert Mark Shield CANOEING Trevor Hendy Katrin Borchert MOTOR RACING Grant Kenny GOLF Grant Davies Dick Johnson Peter Lacey Charlie Earp Clint Robinson Anna Wood NETBALL SWIMMING MEDIA Vicki Wilson Duncan Armstrong Frank O’Callaghan CRICKET Brendan Burkett Ron Archer ROWING Brad Cooper NETBALL Allan Border Adair Ferguson Lisa Curry Deirdre Hyland Bill Brown Gary Lynagh Grant Hackett Steve Holland RUGBY LEAGUE Greg Chappell RUGBY LEAGUE Glenn Housman Wayne Bennett Eddie Gilbert Cec Aynsley Hayley Lewis Ron McAuliffe Wally Grout Nancy Lyons Ian Healy Susie O’Neill RUGBY UNION Mick Crocker Kieren Perkins Alan Jones Ken Mackay Brian Davies Samantha Riley Bob Templeton Craig McDermott Denis Flannery Giaan Rooney Carl Rackemann Peter Gallagher Jon Sieben SWIMMING Don Tallon Tom Gorman Mark Stockwell John Carew Jeff Thomson David Theile Laurie Lawrence Noel Kelly Mark Tonelli CYCLING Tracey Wickham TENNIS Kenrick Tucker Ashley Cooper TENNIS FOOTBALL Mal Anderson OTHER Frank Farina Roy Emerson Clem Jones Ken Fletcher John Morton GOLF Barry Muir Rod Laver Ruby Robinson Ian Baker-Finch Kel O’Shea Pat Rafter Good Sports’ Record Growth in Queensland

The Queensland Good Sports program has Service. This partnership has a program brief signifi cant support from Queensland Health; Offi ce to “increase educational opportunities to local Liquor Gaming & Regulation; Billiton Mitsubishi sporting clubs and volunteers through a number Alliance; Club Training Australia; Queensland of diverse avenues”. Police Service and Brisbane City Council. The funding will be utilised in various manners Over the past 12 months Good Sports has recorded including: a 49.1% growth with 122 clubs entering the • Responsible Service of Alcohol training – program in the past 6 months (September 2010 subsided RSA accreditation courses for volunteer – March 2011). Consistency in growth is also committee members etc. refl ected in a 72.9% increase over the past 2 years or 361 clubs. The program is currently operating at • Alcohol and Community Sports Forums – 154.2% capacity or 174 clubs above its projected targeting legal responsibilities and health related target set with the Federal Department of Health issues in sport settings and Ageing. • Queensland Sports Association workshop – The program is staffed by a Queensland Manager; targeting “top 12” Good Sports priority sports 3 Regional Managers and 12 Project Offi cers. • Good Sports and QEIPP collaboration (Sunshine “Good Sports” QLD has just announced a 12 Coast) – early intervention QPS initiative month partnership with the Queensland Police

Sportswatch - Autumn 2011 17 “There was movement at the station”

Sportswatch doesn’t usually carry a “who’s on the Queensland, Mark Priestley departing Gymnastics move / new faces in sport” column but regardless Queensland along with Fiona Hannan from of whether it’s the recent fl oods or something else Womensport Queensland and Geoff Turner from in the water, there’s certainly a bit of an exodus the Queensland Fitness, Sport and Recreation of sorts of late from the ranks of member bodies. Skills Alliance.

Of course, with 100 members, there’s always That means there will be six new CEO’s / movement in personnel and with “retirement” a General Managers required taking into account bit of a dirty word these days, most are “moving longstanding Queensland University Sport on” to something else, including lesser hours than operative Kim Guerin has moved to Hockey the demands of paid employment in sport at State Queensland. level. And fi nally and perhaps one of the surprising moves From former QSport Chair Ross Livermore to is the sudden departure of former Queensland depart his QRL Managing Director role mid year public servant Matt Miller who ventured south to after nearly three decades at the helm to Hockey the Federal arena a few short years back and now Queensland CEO Garry West-Bail departing in departed from the Australian Sports Commission’s March after 15 years, the list is longer than usual. CEO slot after a couple of months shy of two years in that role. Throw in Keith Long soon to leave Water Polo

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18 Sportswatch - Autumn 2011 supporting the Queensland Sport Awards

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Sportswatch - Autumn 2011 19