Landmark investment package a welcome boost for disability sport in Australia.
Disability Sports Australia welcomes the Australian Sports Commission’s (ASC) announcement of a historic $385 million investment package which highlights the critical role that sport plays in Australian communities.
The ASC today announced a record investment funding package, which will see $385m invested in 70 sports over the next 18 months, resulting in a 64% increase each year compared to the period leading up to the Paris Games.
This funding also includes a doubling of investment to $54.9m over two years for para-sport a landmark investment that will ensure Australia’s competitive edge in the coming years while also developing stronger grassroots pathways for parasport.
Australian Sports Commission CEO Kieren Perkins OAM said: “The remaining eight years until Brisbane 2032 is our chance to unite and inspire Australia through sport.
“The Play Well and Win Well funding announced today lays the foundation to do just that. We will be supporting more Australians to enjoy their sport than ever before, from those in grassroots to our Olympians, Paralympians and Commonwealth Games athletes making us proud on the world stage.
“I would like to thank the Australian Government for their vision and ongoing support to allow all Australians to both play well and win well.”
Disability Sports Australia CEO Ayden Shaw said:
“The funding announced today is a pivotal moment for our community. It provides us with the opportunity to create inclusive, welcoming, and accessible environments where people with disability can thrive in sports.”
“This investment lays the foundation for a future where everyone, from grassroots participants to elite athletes, can enjoy and excel in their chosen sports.
“We are immensely grateful for the support and leadership of the Australian Sports Commission in achieving this result for the sector”
This is the first time the ASC has allocated funding that stretches from the playground to the podium, building on the success of the sector-wide High Performance (Win Well) and Participation (Play Well) strategies.
MORE INFORMATION ON THE WIN WELL FUNDING
Following 12 months of consultation with sports on their strategy and performance targets leading up to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympics, the Win Well funding highlights include:
• More sports being supported, with an increase from 54 to 68 summer Olympic and Paralympic programs to be funded in the lead-up to LA2028
• Para sport investment doubled by an additional $54.9m over two years
• Seven new teams to receive funding across Lacrosse, Flag Football, Goalball and Blind Football
• Two additional one-off investment streams worth over $25m, including a stream focused on addressing sector gaps related to workforce planning and staff development.
MORE INFORMATION ON THE PLAY WELL FUNDING
The investment in 63 sports will not only fund participation activities but also aligns with the Play Well Strategy, with highlights including:
• More sports receiving ASC investment than ever before
• $43.9m funding to create safe, welcoming, inclusive and fun places to play sport
• Five sports receiving funding for the first time: Australian Dragon Boat Federation, Handball Australia, Australian Flying Disc Association, American Football Australia and the Gaelic Football and Hurling Association of Australasia
• More than double the number of people to be directly employed to deliver participation activities across sports.
All Win Well and Play Well Funding will be allocated from 1 January 2025 until 30 June 2026.
