I’m pleased to announce that a re-elected Miles Labor Government will commit up to $15 million to build the first stage of a Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) and FNQ High Performance Centre in Cairns.
Queensland’s regions have given us some of our greatest sporting legends. The QAS Cairns means talented kids from the Torres, Cape and bush would not need to travel to and reside in Brisbane to be on QAS talent pathways.
North Queensland Cowboys have committed to moving their NRLW team to Cairns and will contribute at least $10 million towards the High Performance Centre.
Building a $25m Queensland Academy of Sport in Cairns will transform the city into a tropical Sporting Centre of Excellence.
In partnership with the North Queensland Cowboys NRLW, the QAS will be located next to Barlow Park at West Barlow and establish FNQ as a leading destination for women’s sport in Australia.
To be built in stages, the Centre will include a performance gym, indoor courts, offices, live-in premium accommodation, and student dormitories with a nutrition kitchen.
This compliments the $91 million upgrade of Barlow Park for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics and converts Barlow Park into a Major Events Precinct.
The QAS and NQ Cowboys NRLW would both be anchor tenants with other users including Northern Pride, CQU, JCU, TAFE, Hawthorn AFLW, Cairns Taipans.
