PLAY CRICKET SUBSCRIBE FOR UPDATES
Great Barrier Reef Arena

MACKAY SPORTS FOUNDATION

EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ATHLETES

Harrup Park and Great Barrier Reef Arena have always been “By Community, For Community” in support of grassroots sport and nurturing local talent. 

 

With the creation of the Mackay Sports Foundation in 2024, they now assist eligible youth of the region in any sport to attend their national and international competitions; to learn, network and grow in their sporting endeavours through exposure to game play at the highest levels. 

 

The Mackay Sports Foundation’s mission is to provide eligible Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac based players, coaches and officials aged 21 years and under with travel grants to offset some of the considerable costs of attending their national and international competitions. 

 

This financial assistance across abilities, backgrounds and circumstances promotes fairness and equal opportunity, allowing high achieving local young sports stars to soar to even higher heights in their personal and professional growth and in turn they gain a platform for the community recognition and pride they deserve, to share their story and become role models and future leaders inspiring the next generation. 

 

There are two grant rounds each year, closing on 1 March and 1 September, with successful athletes receiving $500 to attend national competitions and $700 for international competitions

MSF Grant Application
Support The MSF

HEAR FROM OUR PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS

Kasey’s athletic journey began when she was first selected for the Peninsula high jump team. While training for the State Championships, she developed a passion for pole vaulting. After a major setback—completely rupturing her ACL—Kasey adapted and found that pole vault suited her knee’s capabilities.

Despite the challenges, Kasey has gone on to compete at state, national, and international levels, most recently representing Australia at the 2024 Oceania Championships in Fiji

KASEY

$700 SPONSORSHIP

LAINEY

$500 SPONSORSHIP

Lainey’s love for hockey started at age 4, inspired by her family’s passion for the sport. Since then, she has represented Queensland in the U13 and U15 teams. Lainey was also named Player of the Tournament at her U13 state competition.

For Lainey, hockey is more than just a sport; it’s about the friendships and opportunities it brings. She loves playing each week with her friends and has built connections across the state and country through the game.

Isabelle’s love for swimming began when she would watch and mimic the squad swimmers in nearby lanes. Her determination has already paid off, earning her 1 silver medal, 2 bronze medals, and four top-10 finishes at her first School State Championships at just 10 years old

Isabelle loves swimming because it helps her excel in other sports—and, of course, she loves to win! We are excited to follow Isabelle's sporting journey and can't wait to see what the future holds.

ISABELLE

$500 SPONSORSHIP

FINLEY

$500 SPONSORSHIP

Finley grew up surrounded by basketball, with his mum, dad, and sister all playing the sport. He joined his first team at just 7, and by 9, he was selected for the U12 Stars Representative team. His progress in the sport has been remarkable, advancing to the Meteors U14 team this year and already representing Capricornia at the state level twice.

This year, Finley achieved his biggest milestone yet—being selected to represent QLD at the National School Boys Competition. Competing against the nation’s best, Finley’s team reached the finals and secured silver, just pipped at the post in the final seconds.

A MESSAGE FROM MICHAEL KASPROWICZ

Michael Kasprowicz
Professional cricketer 1995-2006.
38 test matches, 43 one day internationals.
Former Board Member, Cricket Australia
Former CEO, Qld Cricket
Co-Founder of Bulls Masters
Cricket Commentator Sport, Not-For-Profit & Business Advisor and Consultant

I am proud to have been working with Harrup Park for some time now in the development of junior, womens and senior community cricket in the Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac regions. 

 

And with the new fantastic Great Barrier Reef Arena, they have fast become an internationally renowned host of top level cricket and AFL games at one of the best regional arenas in the nation. Now with the creation of the Mackay Sports Foundation, I am delighted to see this dedication extend to embracing and empowering youth to be their very best in any chosen sport through offering travel grants. 

 

Helping to alleviate one of the biggest costs to attending national and international level competition, that of travel, means that more youth can experience such a high standard of competitive play, to expand their horizons and build their confidence through networking with peers, coaches and mentors. 

 

Tomorrow’s elite sports ambassadors are today’s local youth in need of travel assistance to pursue their dreams. 

 

The generous contributions of donors like you allow the Foundation to offer more grant money to more worthy recipients each 6-monthly round. 

 

Ideally their financial goal is that all eligible applicants in each round will receive grant funding. 

 

Be assured your full donation goes directly to the successful grant recipients – there are no operational cost deductions whatsoever. 

 

Thank you in advance for your support in helping the Mackay Sports Foundation achieve its goals – which will in turn help the sporting youth of the region reach theirs.