Mackay Sport and Recreation

03/09/2026

🎉Registrations are OPEN for the 2027 Mackay Sport & Rec Expo!

📅 Date: Sunday, February 7th, 2027
🕘 Time: 9AM – 1PM
📍 Location: Mackay Basketball Stadium

Join us for a massive day of fun, fitness, and community! With 100+ sport and recreation groups, Active Zone demos, and prizes galore, there’s something for all ages and abilities!
🏀⚽🏊‍♀️🎯 Whether you're looking to sign up, volunteer, or just explore—this is the place to be!

👉 Sport & Rec Clubs: Book your FREE booth now to connect with new members and volunteers!
🔗 Register here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/F9nU1zc2v3?origin=lprLink
📅 Deadline: Midnight, Sunday 14 December 2026 (or earlier if we hit capacity!)
Let’s make 2027 our biggest Expo yet! 💪
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02/09/2026

20/08/2026

🏏 TEST CRICKET IN MACKAY

Just 1 day to go until Great Barrier Reef Arena becomes a Test Cricket venue for the very first time!

Be there to witness history as Australia takes on Bangladesh in the final Test of the series.

📍 Great Barrier Reef Arena
🎟 Don't miss your chance to be part of a landmark moment for Mackay sport.

🚨TOMORROW🚨

The countdown is officially down to ONE. MORE. SLEEP. 👀

The Great Barrier Reef Arena is about to come alive with Test cricket, big moments, food, drinks and a HUGE atmosphere!

🎟️Still need tickets? THIS IS YOUR LAST CALL!

Get your tickets while they're still available, grab your crew, and BE THERE TOMORROW!🔥

18/08/2026

🏆 Only 2 Weeks to Go!

Do you know an athlete, coach, volunteer, official, or sporting contributor who deserves recognition for their outstanding impact on North Queensland sport?

The 2026 North Queensland Sportstar Awards nominations are closing soon, so now is the time to acknowledge the people helping our sporting communities thrive. Nominations close at 5:00pm on 1 September 2026.

✅ Celebrate excellence
✅ Recognise achievement
✅ Shine a spotlight on local sporting heroes

Visit nqsports.com.au/sportstar to view award categories and submit your nomination today!

12/08/2026

🏆 Funding Opportunity for Local Sporting Clubs! 🏆

The 2026 Future Stars Grant, backed by Swysh and the Australian Sports Foundation (ASF), is now open and offering community sports clubs the chance to receive up to $5,000 worth of sporting equipment. Eligible items include balls, training aids, goals, bibs and other essential equipment to help clubs support young athletes and grow participation.

✅ Open to volunteer-run, not-for-profit community sporting clubs
✅ Clubs must have members aged 20 years or younger
✅ Clubs must have an active and compliant ASF fundraising account
✅ At least 20 grants will be awarded nationwide, representing a $100,000 investment into grassroots sport.

Applications are now open. Before applying, clubs should ensure they have a compliant ASF account and obtain a HART Sport quote for the equipment they are seeking.

📅 Don't miss this opportunity to invest in your club's future stars!

🔗 Apply here: https://heyswysh.com/pages/future-stars-grant

11/08/2026

🔥 1956 Olympic Torch Reunion 🔥

Were you a torch runner, family member, or relative connected to the 1956 Olympic Torch Relay?

Join us for a special community gathering at the Mackay & District Senior Citizens Centre on Saturday, 14 November 2026, from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm.

Come along to share stories, memories, photographs, and celebrate the legacy of the 1956 Torch Relay.

This is a community-organised event and is not associated with Mackay Regional Council

04/08/2026

🌟 Nominations Now Open for the 2026 North Queensland Sportstar Awards! 🌟

Do you know an outstanding athlete, coach, team, volunteer or sporting champion making an impact in North Queensland?

The North Queensland Sportstar Awards have been celebrating sporting excellence across the region since 1991, recognising the incredible achievements of athletes and contributors who inspire our communities. In 2026, the awards will be held in Cairns for the first time at the iconic Tanks Art Centre.

Award categories include:
🏆 Senior Sportstar of the Year
🏆 Junior Sportstar of the Year
🏆 Para Athlete of the Year
🏆 Rural & Remote Sportstar Award
🏆 Team of the Year
🏆 Masters of Sport
🏆 Service to Sport Award
🏆 Sports Excellence Award
🏆 Sports Impact Award

Let's celebrate the people who makes sport in North Queensland stronger, from grassroots volunteers to elite athletes.

📅 Submit your nomination today: https://nqsports.com.au/sportstar/

03/08/2026

🏆 GLENCORE JUNIOR SPORTS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM NOW OPEN!

Sporting clubs and associations across the Pioneer Valley can now apply for funding through the Glencore Community Grants Program.

✅ Grants of up to $7,500 available

Funding is available for projects that:

• Increase opportunities for junior participation in sport
• Improve safety and injury prevention
• Support health and wellbeing initiatives
• Strengthen club sustainability and reduce participation costs
• Build coaching, officiating, administration and safety capacity
• Promote positive life skills and mental wellbeing
• Deliver long-term, cost-effective benefits for junior members
• Purchase major equipment that supports participation and club growth
• Encourage collaboration between local sporting organisations

Projects must be completed within 12 months of receiving funding.

Don't miss this opportunity to invest in your club's future and support more young people to get involved in sport!

Link is here 👉🏻

SmartyTip: Don’t miss any of your deadlines! This is one of the busiest times of the year for applications that are due by June 30 (end of financial year for many funders). Plan ahead now to avoid any rush and submit your application well before its due date.

23/07/2026

Six years to go until the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games!

Mackay is excited to be a Co-Host City and we're proud to be part of the journey as we celebrate the opportunities, inspiration and lasting legacy these Games will create for our region, Queensland and Australia.

06/07/2026

🏆 Performance Achievement Grant 2026/27 Now Open! 🏆

Mackay Regional Council is pleased to announce that the Performance Achievement Grant is now available for the 2026/27 financial year.

This grant provides assistance to individuals and teams representing their sport, discipline, or field of achievement at State, National, and International competitions and events.

The program aims to:
✅ Support participation in recognised State, National, and International events
✅ Encourage the ongoing development of individuals in their chosen field of achievement
✅ Foster positive partnerships between Mackay Regional Council and the local community

If you are representing the Mackay region and require assistance to attend a significant competition or event, we encourage you to apply.

📅 Applications are now open.
For eligibility criteria and application details, visit: https://mackay.smartygrants.com.au/PAG2627