PUMPED UP: Whitsunday Sportspark president Justin Butler, with son Tate, and PCYC Whitsunday branch manager Sgt John Dickinson are gearing up for their sports open days.
PUMPED UP: Whitsunday Sportspark president Justin Butler, with son Tate, and PCYC Whitsunday branch manager Sgt John Dickinson are gearing up for their sports open days. Dane Lillingstone

Get up and get playing in 2017

WITH so many sports and activities available in the Whitsunday region, it can be hard to find the right fit, but a couple of local groups have got you covered for 2017.

Whitsunday PCYC and Whitsunday Sportspark will each hold open days in coming weeks to showcase sporting clubs and activities in the region.

PCYC branch manager Sergeant John Dickinson said the facility catered to everyone.

"Parents can come on down to the open day and have a look at all the activities like gymnastics, indoor soccer, basketball, everything," he said. "We cater for all ages from kids under five with playgroup to ages five to seven with kindy gym, gymnastics, basketball.

"And we cater for seniors and adults too - we've got archery and inline hockey that both came in late last year. It would be good to build those classes."

Sportspark president Justin Butler said its open day was a chance for every sport and activity group to showcase their services to parents, kids and athletes.

"We want to showcase karate, taekwondo, it could be the five major sports at the park, or it could be bowls, rugby league, horse riding, dancing - anything that involves kids, sport and activity," he said.

"What we're trying to do is help and show people so they can sit down and plan what their kids can do throughout the year."

Any clubs that would like to be represented at the open day, both private and not-for-profit, can email president@whitsunday sportspark.com.au.

Both organisations also want to promote the Queensland Government's Get Started Vouchers.

The vouchers are part of a funding program that offers assistance to children and young people who might struggle financially, providing up to $150 to help them get involved in sport and recreation. Parents with a concession card can apply online and hand in their form to participating clubs.

"If parents have got one of those cards, it's a very simple process to get the voucher and get involved in sport," Butler said.

"Virtually every club in Airlie, Proserpine and Bowen is actually registered for it, even clubs you wouldn't think of. It's a good initiative."

PCYC Whitsunday Open Day, 9am-noon, Saturday, January 21.

Whitsunday Sportspark Open Day (at PCYC), 9-11am, Saturday, February 4.


$1.1b Bowen housing estate gets council tick of approval

Premium Content $1.1b Bowen housing estate gets council tick of approval

The development is set to boost the population by 50 per cent with more 2000 houses...

Labor blasted for opposing power station feasibility study

Premium Content Labor blasted for opposing power station feasibility study

The LNP’s passionate resource industry advocates were outraged Labor tried again to...