Jarrod Bleijie announces $375k funding pledge for Townsville AFL club, speaks on ‘most important election in a generation

Grassroots sports across North Queensland will see the benefits of the 2032 Olympics, LNP’s Deputy Leader has pledged, as he stuck the boot into the Premier for bungling the rollout so far.

Deputy Leader of the opposition Jarrod Bleijie, Hermit Park Football Club President Robbie Bethune and LNP candidate for Mundingburra Janelle Poole.

Grassroots sports across North Queensland will see the benefits of the 2032 Olympics, LNP’s Deputy Leader has pledged, as he stuck the boot into the Premier for bungling the rollout so far.

Jarrod Bleijie visited Townsville on the King’s Birthday to pledge $375,000 to Hermit Park Tigers AFL club, part of the LNP’s $250 million Game On package.

He said if the LNP government won on October 26, grassroots clubs all across the state would see what “real legacy looks like for the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics Games”.

“We want people to know that wherever you live in Queensland, whether it’s North Queensland, West Queensland, East Queensland or Southern Queensland, you will benefit from the legacy of the 2032 games,” Mr Bleijie said.

“I think at the moment a lot of people are asking the question, particularly in regional Queensland, ‘what is in the 2032 Games for us?’

“Queensland has had the games for over 1100 days and they have no plan to address the games.

“Queenslanders now look at Steven Miles, who oversaw the Olympics and Paralympics Games as a minister, as a bit of an embarrassment, he bungled it.”

Mr Bleijie said the LNP was “excited” to “clean up the mess Steven Miles has created”, saying they would conduct an independent review.

Premier Miles on Sunday demanded David Crisafulli reveal his plans for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games after the Opposition leader again ruled out building a new main stadium.

“He’s not telling Queenslanders he will build the Gabba and I’m sure that once he does, all of that feedback that we received when that was core to our plan will come forward,” Mr Miles said.

Hermit Park Football Club President Robbie Bethune with LNP candidate for Mundingburra Janelle Poole.

Hermit Park Tigers president Robbie Bethune said being an AFL club in an NRL heartland was a challenge, welcoming the $375,000 pledge if the LNP won government on October 26.

“AFL communities up north get lost, aren’t heard and don’t get funding which we deserve as well,” he said.

Mr Bethune said the money would go towards much-needed upgrades of the ground and clubhouse.

“It would be great to get some decent carparking so cars are not getting bogged, some proper drainage as well and also security around the area.”

LNP candidate for Mundingburra Janelle Poole said with AFL growing in the region, it was good to support local clubs.

“I came down a bit earlier to get the feel of the club and it has a beautiful, fully supported, family feel to the club,” she said.

“We know that this is such a sporting community across all the codes and to see AFL growing as well, that is very exciting”.

Originally published as Jarrod Bleijie announces $375k funding pledge for Townsville AFL club, speaks on ‘most important election in a generation