Sport will have a key role in dragging all of us out of this crisis

COVID-19 has formed a dark cloud over the world. But dark clouds invariably have numerous silver linings. 

Of all the places in the world, Queensland is one of the best in which to live, work and play. And one of the safest. 

Outside of Queensland, that notion is being increasingly understood - and no just by the Internationl Olympic Committee - as more major events frind their way here over the next decade.

Queenslanders need the fundamentals of life. Nurturing home environments, practical education outcomes and plentiful work opportunities to set themselves up to enjoy health and secure lives. 

The state needs to invest in its people, in their hearts and minds and bodies via adequate opportunities for sport and other physical activity, including necessary bricks and mortar facilities. We must also appreciate finances will be finite. Our history shows that sport helps restore a sense of normalcy when difficult times turn up. Playing and watching sport can be a helpful distraction for many, breaking the grind of bigger and more pressing issues. Playing, supporting and watching sport and connecting with others in the community is vital to maintaining necessary physical and mental wellbeing in Queenslanders. 

More engagement in sport and other physical activity can reduce some of the demands on our hospitals and other health services. 

Queensland needs more people to conduct sporting activities, who are trained to govern and manage their organisations properly and not be impeded by unnecessary regulation. 

We also need adequate places and spaces for people to train and play sport as well as the ongoing government support to help keep the costs of sports participation reasonable.

The key requirement that will determine success over the remainder of the current decade will be investment in time, energy and resources via decisions based on shared data on how sport is travelling, and what the needs are.