Frustrated officials from the Forde electorate called for better guidance from above and the elimination of red tape during a sports forum with Federal Member for Forde, Bert van Manen MP, and Federal Shadow Minister for Youth and Sport, Luke Hartsuyker MP, last Friday.
Loganholme Football Club official Colin Tierney said the government has failed to distribute funds effectively to sports organisations, with many unnecessary large projects being developed.
“There needs to be better coordination of funds and resources and improved prioritisation of developments,” Tierney said.
“Sports organisations need more guidance from the top down to a local level so a huge amount of money isn’t spent on something which we don’t need while other clubs miss out altogether.”
Park Ridge Pirates Australian Rules Club, who operate out of Park Ridge State High School because of a lack of available land, president Andy Colenso highlighted the need for schools and organisations to work in conjunction with each other to utilise limited greenspace.
“We have schools sitting in idle on the weekends so it makes sense to utilise the facilities and it could also help with security at the school,” Colenso said.
“I think we should adjust the schools so there is more room to build infrastructure within the schools for clubs and allow them to build things like change rooms and club houses.”
Hartsuyker said the party was focused on cutting red tape and increasing the efficiency of money which is spent.
“We are keen to spend dollars as wisely as possible and want to partner with groups who already have the runs on the board and overheads in place so we can work with the resources available and not see the money whittled away through bureaucracy,” Hartsuyker said.
“It makes sense for a club and a school to work together and it can enhance the value of the school.”
