junior sport Archives - Centenary Today

Coach removed while inquiries continue

The gym reported the matter to police and gymnastics authorities after receiving information alleging a serious child-safeguarding breach involving a coach. Gymnastics Australia said the club acted after becoming aware of the allegation and escalated it through the required reporting channels.

Gymnastics Australia also imposed a provisional suspension preventing the person from coaching at other affiliated clubs, while Gymnastics Queensland and Gymnastics Australia confirmed an investigation into the safeguarding allegation.

Information provided to families at the club said the circumstances were still being reviewed and the matter remained an allegation.

Sumner facility runs programs for children and adults

The Sumner Park gym offers both recreational and competitive gymnastics programs. Programs advertised by the club include KinderGym for children aged two to five, recreational gymnastics, Special Olympics activities and competitive men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics. The club also runs adult classes.

Its coaches are said to hold professional qualifications through Gymnastics Queensland, as well as current Blue Cards and first-aid certificates.

Child-safety rules expanded across Queensland sport

The investigation comes during the first year of Queensland’s expanded child-safety requirements for sporting organisations.

Sport and recreation organisations delivering activities primarily for children were required to begin complying with Queensland’s 10 Child Safe Standards from 1 April 2026 under the Child Safe Organisations Act 2024. The standards cover areas including organisational leadership, children’s participation, family involvement, complaints processes, staff suitability, training and safer physical and online environments, according to the Queensland Government Queensland Family and Child Commission.

The framework applies to more than 40,000 organisations across Queensland as its requirements are progressively rolled out. The standards require child safety to be embedded across leadership, policies, complaints procedures, staffing practices and organisational environments.

Families have several reporting avenues

Gymnastics Australia maintains an integrity reporting system for concerns involving people within the sport. Its guidance directs people to contact emergency services when a child or young person is in immediate need of protection, while other integrity concerns can be lodged with the Gymnastics Australia Integrity team.

Published 7-Oct-2026

Copper theft across Centenary and Darra has disrupted junior sport, damaged field lighting and left local clubs managing costly repairs, including major disruption at Centenary Stormers in Darra.

Centenary Copper Theft Disrupts Local Training

Sporting clubs and community facilities across Brisbane have been dealing with damage from copper theft, with wiring, lighting systems and electrical infrastructure targeted at fields, pathways and club sites.

The impact has reached several Centenary suburbs, including Jindalee, Mount Ommaney, Jamboree Heights, Middle Park, Riverhills and Westlake. Darra has also been directly affected through damage at Centenary Stormers soccer club at Atthows Park.

For junior sport, damaged lighting can limit access to fields after dark. When electrical systems are stripped or switchboards are damaged, facilities may need inspection and repair before regular training and games can resume.

Centenary copper theft — Photo Credit: Supplied

Darra Club Faces Repairs and Relocated Games

Centenary Stormers has been hit multiple times by copper theft.

In one incident at the Darra club, about $3,000 worth of copper was stolen, but the damage and disruption cost more than $60,000. Training sessions and games had to be moved to other venues for almost a month while repairs were completed.

The club also faced increased insurance premiums after the thefts.

The disruption affected families, young players and volunteers, with the club needing to keep teams on the field while usual facilities were unavailable. Volunteer time was also diverted to managing the disruption and arranging alternative venues.

Centenary Stormers — Photo Credit: Supplied

Other Centenary Sites Affected

Other local sites have also been targeted, including Rocks Riverside Park at Seventeen Mile Rocks, Jindalee Bowls Club, Western Districts Baseball Club, Warren Ritchie Sports Complex at Carole Park and the Centenary bikeway.

The Centenary bikeway has been regularly affected by thefts involving lighting infrastructure. Loss of pathway lighting can leave shared routes dark at night, creating safety concerns for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.

Forest Lake Magpies Rugby League Club has also been heavily affected. The estimated cost to reinstate damaged electrical infrastructure at the site is about $2.4 million, adding to efforts to reactivate the facility after the club’s closure.

Across Brisbane, 40 copper theft incidents were recorded last year, with many in the Centenary suburbs.

Reports Sought Around Sporting Facilities

A Copper Theft Campaign launched on 26 March is encouraging residents to report suspicious activity around sporting clubs, lighting towers, electrical cabinets and other community infrastructure.

Residents have been asked to watch for suspicious vehicles near sporting grounds late at night, people interfering with electrical systems, or unusual activity around community facilities.

Emergencies or crimes in progress should be reported to Triple Zero. Suspicious activity can be reported anonymously to Crime Stoppers Queensland on 1800 333 000 or through crimestoppersqld.com.au.

Exposed wiring or facility damage can be reported to Brisbane City Council on (07) 3403 8888.

Published 18-June-2026

Tag: junior sport

Coach Stood Down as Police Investigate Allegation at Sumner Park Gym