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The Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) has launched the Townsville Regional Hub, creating new opportunities for talented athletes across North Queensland to train, develop and progress closer to home.
The Townsville Regional Hub is the first site within the QAS Regional Hub pilot and will initially support up to 30 pre-elite and categorised athletes identified through sport nominations and the YouFor2032 Talent Search.
Based at the Townsville Sports Precinct, athletes will have access to a high performance gym, a dedicated strength and conditioning coach and broader performance support. The local model will reduce the need for athletes to travel to Brisbane for key elements of their development.
For many regional athletes, accessing specialist services can require time away from home,
school, training and established support networks. The 12-month pilot is designed to test how bringing high performance expertise closer to athletes can improve access, strengthen pathways and allow developing athletes to remain in their local environment for longer.
The pilot will also strengthen the wider high performance network across North Queensland through targeted coach development and collaboration with sporting organisations.
Queensland Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander said the launch builds on North Queensland’s proud sporting legacy.
“North Queensland has long been a breeding ground for elite sporting talent, producing athletes such as Olympic kitesurfer Breiana Whitehead, five-time Olympic beach volleyballer Natalie Cook, and Paralympic swimmer Grant ‘Scooter’ Patterson,” Mr Mander said.
“The launch of the QAS Townsville Regional Hub is about building on that proud legacy and making sure the next generation of North Queensland athletes have access to the support and opportunities they need to reach their full potential.
“With Townsville set to play an important role as a host city for Brisbane 2032, this hub is a significant investment in the region’s athletes and sporting future as we look towards Brisbane 2032 and beyond.”
The Townsville Regional Hub builds on work already underway through the YouFor2032 Talent Search, driven by RACQ, which is helping the QAS identify emerging athletes and connect them with sporting pathways earlier in their development. A recent YouFor2032 Para testing day in Townsville also highlighted the depth of potential across North Queensland.
The Queensland Academy of Sport CEO Troy Ayres said the regional presence would help the QAS support athletes earlier in their journey.
“The recent YouFor2032 Para testing day in Townsville reinforced the immense talent across North Queensland and we need to make sure those athletes have the opportunity to be identified, supported and developed closer to home,” Mr Ayres said.
“The QAS Townsville Regional Hub gives us a stronger presence in North Queensland and importantly, a pathway to connect with athletes earlier in their journey and support them as they progress towards elite competition.
“Many talented regional athletes face barriers to accessing high performance services, expertise and support. The QAS Regional Hub brings this support directly to the athlete where they live and train.”
Olympic kitesurfer Breiana Whitehead, track cyclist Sienna Monteith and young sprinter Uwezo Lubenda are among the athletes identified in the launch material as being supported through the Townsville Regional Hub.
The QAS will work alongside sporting organisations to identify and develop regional talent throughout the pilot. Any continuation beyond the initial 12 months, or expansion to further regional locations, will depend on the pilot’s outcomes and future investment.
Learn more about the QAS Regional Hub pilot and how you can support regional athletes at https://www.qasport.com.au/regional-hub/