Gymnastics boom but government yet to talk sport numbers ahead of Olympics 2032

Sport participation is booming in Queensland but the government is yet to consolidate player data to help sports prepare for the Olympics in 2032. VOTE IN THE POLL

The government is yet to compile a snapshot of Queensland’s sporting capacity almost two years after winning the 2032 games, as the state’s gymnastics boss revealed membership numbers were expected to explode to 100,000.
Gymnastics Queensland has recorded unprecedented participation numbers for two straight years, with maxed-out local clubs now placing gymnasts on waitlists.

It comes after The Courier-Mail last week revealed Queensland basketball clubs had run out of courts and were also turning away new players, sparking questions over grassroots capacity issues for the 2032 Games’ host.

Gymnastics Queensland chief Chris Rushton said both grassroots and elite clubs would need significant funding injection to keep up with demand over the next nine years, with participation levels now up 26 per cent.

“We’re recording our highest ever numbers in the association’s existence -100,000 members by 2032, that’s the forecast growth,” Mr Rushton said.

Gymnastic sports participation uptake expected before the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games - Delta Gymnasts Elsie Pierce, Livia Cooke, India Colombi Hannah Mitchell, Sobhiya Gordon-Daveson. Kedron Saturday 22nd April 2023 Picture David Clark

“We’ve got a program that looks at the data around the state and it shows us the opportunities and where the growth areas are and there’s huge demand. We’ve had six new clubs come on board already this year, with potentially more later on.

“It’ now a matter of how do we get new facilities or keep up with population growth, especially in the South East.”

John Mitchell, owner of the Delta Gymnastics club, where Olympian Georgia Goodwin and star gymnast India Colombi train, said he was taking on 13 new members every day.

“We moved up from 1500 to 2000 members, and have 130 coaches and 50 full-time staff now,” Mr Mitchell said.

“Gymnastics is the granddaddy of all sports and people are getting the message.

“Physical literacy sets kids up for life and when kids feel confident and competent, they start putting their hands up more at school.”

Gymnastic sports participation uptake expected before the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games - Delta Gymnasts Livia Cooke, Hannah Mitchell and Sobhiya Gordon-Daveson Kedron Saturday 22nd April 2023 Picture David Clark

Participation or player data is provided to the government by each sporting code to help the Department of Sport plan facility upgrades however, the department is yet to consolidate this data to allow for things like shared facilities or joint infrastructure funding ahead of 2032.

A department spokesman said the data was not made publicly available as it belonged to individual organisations.

“(It) is therefore up to individual organisations whether they make their data public,” he said.

“Sport Australia’s AusPlay and Queensland Health’s CHO Report are other valuable sources of participation data the department considers when making infrastructure funding decisions.”

The department does not keep track of sporting venue capacities for each sport, instead relying on each sporting club or association to provide their own venue capacity data and information when applying for infrastructure funding.

Sports Minister Stirling Hinchliffe confirmed the state would be open to a collaborative data approach to help forecast sport participation and local club needs ahead of 2032.

“The Government consults widely with sporting bodies at all levels across the state and is always open to practical ideas that will help maximise participation rates in the lead up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” he said.

Gymnastic sports participation uptake expected before the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games - Delta gymnasts India Colombi moved from South Australia to Queensland to train. Kedron Saturday 22nd April 2023 Picture David Clark

With more than 57,000 members to squeeze into just 155 venues, Gymnastics Queensland is now looking into possible club upgrades across the state.

Some clubs were eligible to apply for the government’s $14 million Minor Infrastructure program which provides funding to grassroots organisations for local building projects.

Delta Gymnastics owner Mr Mitchell suspects the government’s legacy project in Chandler would end up a white elephant, with commercial sponsors expected to approach gymnastics clubs as the Games edge closer.

“Some (Olympic and Paralympic hosts) do it well and sometimes those big buildings are just left sitting empty. I’m still confused about the basketball courts in Jim Chalmers area, I mean, who is that benefiting?” he said.

“Private partnerships are really maximising facilities overseas, Australia and Queensland might end up going down that path too.”