Federal Budget impact on sport
The Federal Budget announcement this month has fallen favourably toward athletes and National Sporting Organisations in the lead up to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games The recent Federal Budget announcement will have a big impact on sport leading up to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games and beyond with the government declaring their intentions to develop a National Sports Plan and also inject a further $30 million into women’s sport.
As revealed on budget night, the Federal Government is committing $15.5 million directly to athletes and National Sporting Organisations to assist with their preparations for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Australian Sports Commission Chair John Wylie says the 2018 Commonwealth Games is a key benchmark event for Australia, and as such we are very pleased funding is maintained to sport programs for the Games next year.
“The Commonwealth Games is one of the largest sporting events in the world with over 6,600 athletes and team officials from 70 nations and territories participating. This funding will ensure the ASC can provide full support for high performance to the national sporting organisations and thereby contribute to a better chance of success at the Commonwealth Games,” Wylie said.
Commonwealth Games Australia CEO Craig Phillips understands that money does not guarantee success, but he says success at the Commonwealth Games can inspire all Australian’s to pursue sport and an active and healthy lifestyle.
In the lead up to 2018, Commonwealth Games Australia will contribute upwards of $14 million in funding programs directly to athletes and National Sporting Organisations.
These include the Podium Initiative, collaboration with the AIS on dAIS support, Gold Coast Gold funding and NextGEN for young and emerging athletes.
The Australian Sports Commission also welcomed the Budget announcement regarding the development of a National Sports Plan in which for the first time, the Australian public will be canvassed for opinions about their priorities in the sports sector.
“The process to develop the Plan will involve consultation with the sport, health and education sectors as well as the states and territories and the Australian community. The focus of the community’s feedback will be on sport participation and physical activity, high performance sport, sports integrity, major sporting events, sporting infrastructure, revenue for sport and sporting organisations,” said ASC Chair John Wylie.
Bowls Australia is appreciative of the support we receive from the AIS and ASC to prepare our High Performance Program for international benchmark events and for their continued support of our National Events like the Bowls Premier League which is designed to promote our sport and increase bowls participation.
Bowls Australia also acknowledges the assistance and funding provided by Commonwealth Games Australia to Bowls Australia for athletes in the NextGEN AUSComGames Squad program which is allowing our future Australian Jackaroos more opportunities to compete internationally and gain invaluable experience.
NextGEN AUSComGames was devised to provide assistance to junior players who have been identified as potential 2018 or 2022 Commonwealth Games level athletes.
