$10.3 million in Sports Commission funds aimed at getting Australians get active

Federal Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck has advised that 36 new programs to provide more opportunities for Australians to connect with sport and get physically active are to share $10.3 million worth of Australian Sports Commission (Sport Australia) grant funding.

In addition to already announced funding for AUSTSWIM, a range of bodies are to be funded under streams for physical activity provider projects, national sports organisation (NSO) and national sporting organisation for people with disability (NSOD) projects and nso and nsod partnership projects.

Among funding recipients, Skate Australia will establish come and try events nationwide to provide opportunities for skaters to join competitions, clubs and events.

It follows a successful Olympic debut for skateboarding at the Tokyo Games which included a men's park Gold medal for Keegan Palmer as well as a huge uptake in roller skating during COVID-19 lockdowns.

Skate Australia Executive Director, Ariane de Rooy commented “we're excited to increase awareness of skate sports like roller derby, speed skating, artistic skating and inline hockey as well as the increasing number of learn to skate options for all ages.

“One of skate's core values is inclusion and we're thrilled to provide more opportunities for people of all backgrounds and genders to give skating a try.

“In addition to the Paris and LA Olympics in the coming years, the World Skate Games will be held in Argentina in October 2022 and we're always on the lookout for emerging talent.”

Deaf Sports Australia will also partner with the AFL to improve access for deaf and hard of hearing Australians who love playing the code.

Deaf Sports Australia General Manager, Phil Harper said the grant is an acknowledgement of the barriers that deaf and hard of hearing Australians face when participating in sport, noting “more than 2000 children and adults across three states who are deaf or hard of hearing will benefit from this project to make AFL more inclusive, accessible and enjoyable.”

“This is a wonderful opportunity to create solutions to significantly raise participation levels in AFL.”

Indigenous Basketball Australia’s project will encourage young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to get involved in basketball as a player, coach or official.

Motorcycling Australia will deliver a national program for entry level riders to encourage young Australians and their families to ride, while Lacrosse Australia will partner with UniSports Australia to deliver social and modified Lacrosse programs to 18–25-year-olds.

Sport Australia acting Chief Executive, Rob Dalton said the program will help more Australians enjoy the social, personal and health benefits of being physically active.

Dalton advised “this diverse range of programs will encourage even more Australians of all ages and abilities to get involved in sport and physical activity.”

“Through this grant program, we will support tens of thousands of Australians to get active and build a healthier and happier nation through sport.”

Advising that the Federal Government is proud to invest in programs that bring communities together, Minister Colbeck stated “sport continues to face ongoing challenges as a result of COVID-19.

“These grants will help increase participation in sport and physical activity by delivering free, inclusive and high-quality programs for everyone to enjoy.

“Through this grant program, we’re making communities stronger, more resilient and active.”

Earlier this month, Senator Colbeck advised that AusCycling would receive $5 million from the program for its Ride Nation initiative.

However, that funding did not appear in yesterday’s announcement.

Click here to view the full list of recipients

Images: Skateboard coaching at Melbourne's Rampfest facility (top, credit: Rampfest), Indigenous youth basketball (middle, credit: Indigenous Basketball Australia) and junior motocross (below, credit: Motorcycling Australia).