DISADVANTAGED youngsters from six Capalaba schools are set to benefit from a benevolent foundation set up to help pay for sport club memberships, fees and other out-of-pocket expenses.
The Redland Sporting Foundation, the brainchild of Capalaba councillor Paul Gleeson, aims to help 100 kids from low-income families with the costs of playing a sport.
Students from Capalaba State College, Coolnwynpin State School, Hilliard State School, Vienna Woods State School, Alexandra Hills State School and Birkdale South State School are all eligible to apply for the funding.
Cr Gleeson said the pilot project would add $100 per child aged between eight and 12 to the state government's $150 Get in the Game grant.
"The foundation will help all kids with the Get in the Game grant, but only students from these six Capalaba schools will have access to the additional $100," he said.
"The money will result in some sporting clubs being able to provide a full sport season, at no cost, to some parents and others will get funds of up to $150 for the year. If I can get the pilot program to work, we'll try to roll it out across the city."
To raise the needed $10,000 target, participating schools will ask for gold coin donations for free dress days.
Redlands PCYC, Capalaba Piranha's swimming club, Capalaba Warriors junior rugby league club, Capalaba Bulldogs soccer club, Capalaba Lawn Bowls club and Muddies cricket club have all signed up for the program.
The project has already been boosted by a $1200 donation from Capalaba Sports Club.
The Redlands Sporting Foundation will be launched at a sports expo at the Capalaba State College hall on Monday August 4, at 6pm, where grant application forms will be available.
All six clubs will have stands and take new memberships and Capalaba MP Steve Davies will be available to explain the state government's Get in the Game grant.
