National sports events receive TRC community grant funding

Two nationally recognised sporting events and an emerging mountain bike competition scheduled this year for Toowoomba this week received formal funding allocations at Toowoomba Regional Council’s (TRC) January Ordinary meeting.

Council approved three applications under the Sports Tourism Event grant program totalling $7,500.

TRC Environment and Community Services Committee chair Cr Geoff McDonald said the three applications, for the 2019 Mountain Man Motocross, the National Cutting Horse Association of Australia (NCHA) national finals and the Toowoomba Mountain Bike Club’s Range8 (cross country event), met funding application guidelines.

“Council is pleased to offer support to events that encourage greater public participation in events and that draw outside visitors and greater promotion of the Toowoomba region,” Cr McDonald said.

“As well as drawing competitors in each of the respective sporting fields, these events will attract support teams and spectators to the region with various flow-on benefits for local businesses.

“The competitive grant program is designed to support community and not-for-profit groups that are keen to boost events and activities in the Toowoomba region.

“We have numerous core events during the year and the latest grant funds will allow these three groups to stage national events that will add to our rich events calendar.

“The Mountain Man Motocross and the NCHA national finals are established national events, while the Toowoomba Mountain Bike Club is working to have its August cross country event upgraded on the Mountain Biking Australia event calendar.”

The 2019 Mountain Man Motocross, which received a $1000 grant, will be held at Toowoomba’s Echo Valley track from February 23-24.

More than 300 entrants are expected to compete at the NCHA national finals at the equestrian centre at Toowoomba Showgrounds from February 25 to March 2. Previously held at Tamworth in recent years, the event will receive a $5000 grant.

The Toowoomba Mountain Bike Club’s premier club event, Toowoomba Range8, consists of an eight and a four-hour solo and team cross country mountain bike competition at the Jubilee Park track on Sunday, August 25. Council approved a $1,500 grant to support the event.

More information about TRC’s community grants can be viewed at www.tr.qld.gov.au/grants