Townsville Fire scores $1.5m for community support programs

The Townsville Fire’s community support programs have been given another three years of funding, as the successful women’s basketball team aim to match their on-field impact.

Stephen Motti, Scott Stewart, Annastacia Palaszczuk, Stephanie Reid and Sam Pascoe celebrate a $1.5m government grant to the Townsville Fire.

The Townsville Fire has scored a $1.5m injection from the Queensland government to help fund the club’s community support work.

The money, spread over three years, will help the women reach the lives of 15,000 young people every year through four programs, including children interred at the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre.

Townsville Fire legend and general manager Samantha Pascoe said the club visits Cleveland three days a month for its Ignite2Rise program, with the players attending once.

“The kids respond really well,” Ms Pascoe said.

“We are the only community-owned WNBL club in the league, so it aligns and stables us in our core of why we exist, not just as a basketball team.

“It is really important we do what can to provide healthy female role models to the community across the board.”

The School Program sees the players visit kids’ after-school sports programs, cooking classes, and career planning sessions.

The Fire also runs a three-day mentorship camp called ‘Ignite the Dream’, which features community service activities alongside basketball development, and the IgniteHer program, where at-risk youths in the community are treated to workshops on resilience self-value, and positive relationships.

The funding enables the team’s players to be employed all year round, meaning when they’re not on the basketball court winning championships, these strong role models will be educating and empowering students and at risk children in Townsville and across the state.

As an added bonus, the more players which remain in Townsville during the off-season, the more opportunities there are for team bonding, skill boosts, and exploring career paths in the city post-basketball, Ms Pascoe said.

Stephen Motti the new chairman of the Townsville Fire Board of Directors and Suzanne Wilson is the deputy chairwoman. Picture: Evan Morgan

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the government is backing the Fire because the team backs Townsville.

“I know how proud North Queenslanders are of their championship winning Townsville Fire Women’s Basketball team,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Not only are they getting results on the floor, they’re getting results in the Townsville community through their extensive community outreach work.

“This $1.5 million commitment will help to inspire and engage more than 45,000 youths over three years, creating positive, healthy habits.”

Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the Fire’s focus on resilience and health for young north Queenslanders is critical.

“Our investment in the Townsville Fire is part of a wider commitment to delivering more opportunities to stay active, healthy and engaged in the community,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“It’s a key legacy we want to achieve from the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games for young Queenslanders, no matter where they live in our big State.”

Scott Stewart MP said he had worked closely with Pascoe and the Fire to secure the funding.

“I know how important these programs are,” Mr Stewart said.

“The Townsville Fire are the national WNBL champions and the only professional women’s basketball team in Queensland and help inspire young women to aim high for their future.

“These programs and this investment is about more than just basketball though, it’s about ensuring our young girls can learn from our exceptional Townsville Fire players.”

Mundingburra MP Les Walker said the government backs these programs because they make a difference.

“I’ve seen first hand how programs like Midnight Basketball help engage young people and these programs run by the Townsville Fire will do the same thing,” Mr Walker said.

Originally published as Townsville Fire scores $1.5m for community support programs