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The Matt Caroll interview THE JOURNAL OF SPORT, LEISURE & RISK WITH AN INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE November 2021
Q. We have seen in relation international sporting events scheduled We are absolutely committed to highest levels, to work in Japan on the
to the Sydney 2000 Games for Australia over the next 10 years. Indigenous reconciliation through sport Rugby World Cup and now at the AOC. So
and there’s a lasting contribution
my highlights reflect where I have worked.
and the 2006 Melbourne Q. What legacy would you Brisbane 2032 can make here. In no particular order, Rugby World Cup
Commonwealth Games how like to see from the 2032 2003 in Australia, the establishment of the
government and corporate Brisbane Olympic Games? These Games are also for our friends A-League and the Socceroos qualifying
Australia respond with across the Pacific nations of Oceania. for FIFA World Cup 2006 and most
importantly, the opportunity to contribute
Opportunities for their communities
increased funding support A. The Brisbane 2032 Games will and athletes. to the sports and provide opportunity for
for sport. The AOC, along transform Australia in so many ways. all participants, none more so than now,
with the CGA and the To get the three levels of government in But to create these legacies, we need to with the Olympic movement in Australia.
work together. I think we have a unique
APC, is seeking to take a unison, the business community focused opportunity having been awarded the Q. To all the young
on the opportunities and of course our
different funding approach sporting community absolutely ready Games eleven years out. We can deliver a Australians enthused by
over the next 11 years to take advantage of this opportunity. great Games and if we work together the what they saw in Tokyo,
through to Brisbane. How is Innovation, skills enhancement, benefits will flow in the decades to follow. what message would you
And the work starts now!
the approach different, for volunteering, sustainability, Indigenous share with them in relation
example to the 2000 Gold reconciliation and of course showcasing Q. Sportscover Australia to aiming for Brisbane in
Medal Plan, and what is the our wonderful country. turned 35 years old in 2032?
AOC seeking in terms of We have talked about the opportunity to September this year. What
government’s commitment supercharge our sports, not just to get has been the standout A. Have a go! Every athlete who went to
to sport over this period? them to the Games but for the decade highlight or highlights for Tokyo made a decision to have a go at
beyond the Games and into the future. their chosen sport. Those athletes made
you in following Australian that commitment.
A. It’s very much about harnessing There’s the opportunity to create sports sport over that period; i.e.
everything that sport has to offer. Sport infrastructure that meets the needs of since 1986? Each one of them has a different story, but
as a means of getting Australians active. the growing population in south-east what they all have in common is finding
Sport improving mental health outcomes. Queensland – that includes major something they were passionate about and
The role sport can play in educational events and community infrastructure. A. Well, I have been involved in the getting stuck in. That meant overcoming
outcomes. The sports industry as an administration of sport since 1981 when hardships along the way, but they found
economic driver within the Australian Certainly, the Games can fast-track I first joined my local rugby club’s the tools to do that. As the saying goes,
economy across tourism, hospitality, the road and rail infrastructure that committee. Over this time, I have been every journey begins with the first step.
technology and infrastructure. Creating Queensland needs. This is the fastest fortunate to work in three sports at the
jobs, careers and businesses.
growing region in Australia.
We have talked about how sporting And of course, as a sports-loving country,
infrastructure at the community level can I would hope Australians will be very
be used for many other purposes, making proud of delivering an Olympic Games But to create these legacies, we need to work together.
more liveable communities. You can scale that the world’s athletes enjoyed, that I think we have a unique opportunity having been
that up to the investment in sporting delivered success for our Australian awarded the Games eleven years out. We can deliver a
infrastructure for major events that can athletes and that brought our community great Games and if we work together the benefits will
make Australia a destination for the together. flow in the decades to follow. And the work starts now!”
world’s bigger events, driving tourism and
further investment. There are already 30
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