Fairplay Vouchers Rebranded
By Dustin Lowrey
Dustin Lowrey is a national director for the sport of all-star cheerleading and dance.
Over the weekend, the Queensland State government unveiled its budget alongside a rebranding of the FairPlay sports vouchers program, aimed at assisting athletes in offsetting costs associated with grassroots sports participation. “Play On” vouchers will be available through an annual program opening in both summer and fall, although young athletes will only be eligible for one $200 payment per year. In a seemingly bland commitment to youth sports, the government has expanded the budget for this initiative by 22.5 million AUD, with the complete budget anticipated to be released later this month. However, with increasingly ambiguous and harsher regulations - these funds are not being seen in the cheer and dance sector.
It was reported that earlier this year we saw the loss of Fairplay support in Queensland for All-Star gyms that previously had been allowed to claim the allocated government funds. In a time where grassroots participation and overall visibility of our sport is crucial, it just became harder to get recreational or entry level athletes in our door. $200 for many programs is one recreational athletes term fees. The loss of this funding has had a huge impact on reducing barriers to entry into all-star. The reason cited for the abrupt discontinuation was the lack of an recognised national or state governing organisation, however the Australian Cheer Union has shared publicly that they have overcame immense hurdles to apply for this recognition, which is currently pending.
Uniforms and registration costs often present significant blockades to entry in sports. An investment of $200 can alleviate many of these challenges; however, it does not guarantee that kids will remain in sports long-term or “Play On” as the rebrand suggest.
While sports require substantial financial commitment, the returns on this investment are immense, contributing to the wellness of young people, the development of essential hard and soft life skills, and the cultivation of interpersonal and team skills.
Additionally, engaging in sports fosters networking opportunities and community building, highlighting a few of the numerous benefits. Despite reporting an expanded budget, seemingly harsher regulations have resulted in fewer organisations receiving funding, leading to a decline in the number of young athletes reaping these benefits—particularly within the dance and cheerleading sectors, which are predominantly female, with 98% of participants being young women. This scenario raises important questions about gender equity in sports and how these dynamics and systemic inequities are influenced by governmental funding decisions.
Youth crime in Queensland has frequently been portrayed in sensationalized terms, invoking fears that the streets are unsafe, and Queenslanders live in fear of going out after dark. However, this mother goose narrative risks overshadowing more effective social strategies aimed at addressing the root causes of pressures on our criminal justice system from youth offenders.
“Youth sport, music, and arts involvement is the shield and sword against a youth crime epidemic. ”
Investing in sports and extracurricular activities for young people has proven to be a viable alternative that fosters positive engagement and community ties. By empowering youth through structured programs, we can promote self-discipline, teamwork, and a sense of belonging that often veers them away from criminal activities.
This approach suggests that nurturing interests and skills in young individuals may be a more productive way to mitigate crime rather than relying on punitive measures or alarmist rhetoric- mother goose style politics that sound nice but don’t reflect substantial policy. It reflects a shift in focus—from fear to empowerment—underscoring the importance of supporting youth development rather than simply reacting to criminal behaviour. An overwhelming response to this budget announcement is the question: where is broader support for youth extracurricular activities and organisations?
Play On is a rebranding of the former initiative FairPlay. The financial details regarding the cost of this rebranding have not been disclosed but raises a question: Why the rebrand and how much did this cost?
Navigating young adulthood and the early teen years can be challenging. Many youths seek affirmation, validation, and community, which can sometimes lead them to inappropriate influences if proper guidance is lacking.
Sports play a crucial role in providing structured support and motivation, fostering an environment where young athletes can thrive. Athletes who are intrinsically motivated and backed by a strong network and village of peers and coaches that come with sport are more likely to become productive members of society. When kids are affirmed, have something to look forward to, and take pride in something constructive and productive such as sports, music, or other arts- they don’t go looking in other places to find validation or belonging.
Comparatively, Nordic countries that invest heavily in public sports funding demonstrate lower crime rates. For instance, Finland allocates 257 million AUD for sports initiatives, serving a population of 5 million. This investment correlates with a crime rate of 22%, significantly lower than Australia’s 46%. Sports play a crucial role in providing structured support and motivation, fostering an environment where young athletes can thrive. Athletes who are intrinsically motivated and backed by a strong network of peers and coaches by way of sporting communities are more likely to stay out of trouble, and that’s a fact.
