sport
The grassroots story behind the community sport movement
Free sessions in northern Brisbane suburbs are drawing dozens of teenagers into 3x3 basketball, soccer, pickleball and esports while feeding into larger qualification pathways.
How we reported this
More than 130 young people have joined the Take it to the Streets program since its rollout across Brisbane’s north, gaining free coaching in 3x3 basketball, soccer, pickleball and esports.
The effort sits inside a wider push to strengthen youth participation ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games, with the Department of Sport and the Queensland Police Service backing local clubs through the Youth Development Partnership Fund. Brisbane Broncos have already used the fund to run similar sessions aimed at at-risk teenagers aged 13 to 18.
North-side venues reach new participants
Sessions operate in Chermside, North Lakes and Bracken Ridge, giving teenagers structured training and mentoring that organisers say improves mental wellbeing and community ties. The same northern suburbs also hosted the Brisbane World Breaking DanceSport Festival in January 2026, where youth categories delivered ranking points toward the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026.
Those two streams-street-level multi-sport programs and breaking’s Olympic pathway-now share the same neighbourhoods, creating visible links between casual participation and elite qualification routes.
Next steps for families and clubs
Parents and coaches can contact the Take it to the Streets coordinators through Sport Queensland channels to confirm current session times in the three suburbs. Clubs interested in Youth Development Partnership Fund support are directed to the Department of Sport for application details already circulated to Brisbane organisations.