Queensland is showcasing its sporting venues to international teams through a new digital platform.
The Sports Venues Connect platform features an interactive map of international and national-standard venues across the state that provide training and competition opportunities for more than 80 sports.
State Sports Minister Grace Grace said international and interstate teams would be able to tap into Queensland’s vast array of high-quality sporting venues through the new platform.
Minister Grace said around 60 venues were on the initial list, but venues in Queensland that wanted to be included could make an online submission to be added to the platform.
“Connecting international and national teams with opportunities to train and host events in Queensland will boost tourism and local economies in the lead up to and beyond 2032,” she said.
“From IAAF-standard running tracks on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef at the Townsville Sports Precinct, to university sporting hubs across South East Queensland that cater for multiple teams, users can filter by sport, facility options or location and enables direct liaison with venues to ensure their needs can be met.”
Minister Grace said the platform would expand over time to include a greater range of facilities and tourism opportunities near key venues.
She said hosting the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games enabled Queensland to attract new global business audiences, with the potential to create a $4.6 billion boost in tourism and trade for the state.
“The 2032 Games will provide a generational opportunity to transform our State culturally, economically, socially, and environmentally, and this platform is just one of the ways to help communities right across Queensland benefit.”
Minister Grace said the state had many high-quality sporting venues ready for training camps and events, and the platform would make it easier for international and domestic teams to find them and book them.
“Ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games we saw the Canadian boxing team train in Toowoomba, and the New Zealand hockey team based themselves in Cairns before heading to Tokyo in 2021, bringing a great boost to those cities.
“So, we’re inviting teams to visit the Sunshine State for a taste of our superior weather, lifestyle and sporting venues – well before 2032.
“And we are calling on Queensland venues who want to be on the list to jump online and submit their details.”
