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School ovals, courts and halls will be opened up for local sporting and recreation use as part of a $24 million program to provide Queensland kids with better sporting facilities.

Minister for Sport Mick de Brenni said that Queensland’s first ever 10-year sport and recreation strategy, Activate! Queensland would unlock the gate for those who may not have been able to get playing.

“We’re going to break down one of the biggest barriers to getting active through the opt-in $12 million Community Use of Schools program which will commence upgrades of school facilities for participating schools and clubs.”

Minister for Child Safety Youth and Women and Member for Bulimba Di Farmer said she was pleased that Balmoral State High School would be one of the first four pilot projects in Queensland.

“I know that opening up Balmoral State High School will bring our community closer and will provide a lasting sense of belonging,” Ms Farmer said.

“Southside Eagles Football Club and Balmoral State High School Students will equally benefit from being able to use what will soon be a top shelf playing field here, and this will mean other local clubs will benefit as well.

Minister Farmer said there was clear evidence that involvement in sport provides a more positive avenue for young people and keeps them out of trouble.

“For some kids, there are significant barriers that make getting active all the more challenging. That’s why I’m so pleased to welcome this announcement, as well as the FairPlay initiatives, that will give clubs and families the tools and support to do this critical work”.

Other pilot partnerships include Shailer Park State High School and the Logan Thunder Basketball Association, Browns Plains State High School and the Browns Plains Met Rugby Union Club and Atherton State High School is working with Atherton Netball Association.

Education Minister Grace Grace said the government would employ 40 school and community coordinators to help make the community use of schools work effectively.

“These coordinators will reduce the burden on the school system by coordinating the use of school facilities by community organisations, in consultation with principals and P&Cs,” Ms Grace said.

“We have some world-class sporting facilities at our Queensland schools so it’s great that other groups in the community will be able to make use of them.”

Minister de Brenni said that future Palaszczuk Government sport and recreation facilities would be built and designed into all new schools in Queensland, facilitating the co-location of clubs and school so everyone can get active.

Schools will be able to opt in to the retrofit program and coordinators will work with communities to identify and prioritise infrastructure investment in schools.

These initiatives form part of Activate! Queensland, a $1.3 billion, 10-year strategy to further enrich the Queensland way of life; harnessing the pride of our great sporting traditions, embracing our iconic natural environment and building on our strong community foundations.