Water Polo Australia has welcomed the Australian Government’s $513 million investment in sport, strengthening support for athletes to perform on the world stage on the road to Brisbane 2032 and beyond.
Announced ahead of next month’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the two-year package backs Olympians and Paralympians preparing for Los Angeles 2028 and the French Alps 2030 and ensures the right support is in place for the next six years leading into Brisbane 2032.
Historic funding for Para sport will also be maintained for a further two years with $54.9 million going towards better classification opportunities for Para athletes, access to fit-for-purpose training environments, and specialised coaching and performance support.
More than 150 new Para athletes were uncovered in the first 12 months of the Para Uplift with Para sport units also established in every state and territory.
The Minister for Sport The Hon Anika Wells was joined by some of Australia’s best athletes for the announcement today, including Paris Olympic silver medalist Charlize Andrews and Ord Minnett Aussie Stinger Tenealle Fasala.
The investment gives athletes, coaches and staff the opportunity to achieve their full potential by providing:
- high performance funding for 68 sport programs over the next two years
- continuation of direct athlete support (dAIS) to help with daily living and training expenses
- historic increase for Australia’s Winter Olympians and Paralympians with Curling Australia, Biathlon Australia, and Ice Racing Australia all receiving high performance funding for the first time
- $102.8 million annual grant funding, free support services, and subsidised access to AIS facilities the ASC provides to national sporting organisations and high performance athletes.
Water Polo Australia CEO Tim Welsford said: “While our immediate focus is on the World Cup Finals in Sydney next month, we are well into the next Olympiad and our high performance teams are working towards the LA 2028 Olympic Games,” Welsford said.
“We want to thank the Federal Sports Minister Anika Wells and the Australian Sports Commission for today’s announcement for support of high performance sport as we continue that work towards LA 2028.
“We look forward to working with the Australian Sports Commission, through the Australian Institute of Sport to leverage the funding and identify strategies for further collaboration across all areas of high performance,” he said.
ASC CEO Kieren Perkins OAM said the investment is a huge sign of confidence in Australian sport and the system’s united commitment to Win Well and deliver elite performances in exceptional environments.
“On behalf of the Australian sports system, I’d like to thank the Australian Government, particularly Sports Minister Anika Wells, for their continued investment and for backing our athletes who inspire our nation,” he said.
“No one backs our Aussie athletes like the Australian Government and this investment provides the platform for our athletes to perform at their best on the world stage.
“The united approach behind the Win Well Strategy has resulted in some extraordinary results on the world stage.
“As we build towards Brisbane 2032 and beyond, a collaborative approach will continue to deliver many magical moments that will make Australians proud.”
Meanwhile, a total of 58 sporting organisations will receive Play Well funding to help create safe,
welcoming, inclusive and fun sporting environments. Over the next year, $50.5 million has been committed for the Sporting Schools program and other participation initiatives.
