General News
7 November, 2025
Youth love new courts
A NEW sports facility completed at Mossman State High School will offer a number of additional sporting activities.
Last week Member for Cook David Kempton, school leaders and students gathered on the newly-refurbished courts at the school to celebrate the completion of the exciting upgrade made possible through the Queensland Government’s Go for Gold sporting grant.
The $500,000 grant enabled the transformation of the school’s old, weather-damaged tennis courts into new multi-purpose outdoor courts suitable for basketball, netball and futsal.
Deputy principal Mary-Anne Zahnow said construction started in June this year and the courts started being used just before the start of the school holidays at the end of September.
“The ‘Go for Gold’ funding aims to enhance physical activity opportunities for students and communities ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” she said.
“Our school put together an application for upgraded school sports infrastructure and we were granted $500 000 towards the upgrades. The students have been using the courts non-stop since they were opened and they love it. As soon as construction started the year 9 boys were constantly wanting to know when it would be opened.”
School health, physical education and sport department head Tracy Butland, who led the successful grant application, said the project had already made a positive difference.
“The new courts have improved space utilisation, allowing classes to combine indoor and outdoor activities,” she said.
“This has had a positive impact on both student engagement and teacher wellbeing. Mossman State High has a strong sense of community where students and staff support one another to achieve their best whether in academics, sport, culture or the arts.”
Mr Kempton said the project would benefit students.
“It’s wonderful to see Mossman State High School receive a Go for Gold grant to upgrade their courts,” he said.
“These new facilities will help students stay active, enjoy friendly competition and strengthen social connections.”
The Go for Gold Fund (round 2) is part of the Queensland Government’s $93 million investment to upgrade and build school sports infrastructure in preparation for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The initiative aims to increase student participation in sport and physical activity across Queensland schools.
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