AIS funding boost to back world class athletes

Elite Australian athletes are to receive a boost in direct Federal Government funding of up to 30% under the Australian Institute of Sport's revamped athlete support program.

As part of the larger restructuring of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), the new $12 million dAIS program supersedes the previous financial support scheme and features an increased investment, greater support to Australia’s best performed athletes and the introduction of support for emerging athletes.

The comprehensive system of direct financial support of Australia’s current world class athletes and future stars of the international arena will support about 900 leading competitors in Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games events.

The former DASS (direct athlete support scheme) fund distributed $8.4 million in 2012, so the financial pool has grown by 43% in two years under the new Winning Edge strategy, as a result of savings being made in other divisions of the Australian Sports Commission.

Under the new program, athletes ranked No 1 in the world will receive $35,000 a year to cover living expenses while they dedicate themselves to training – a substantial increase on the old upper limit of $27,000 a year.

Emerging athletes who show clear potential for a top three finish in future can receive up to $12,000 per annum.

Introducing the new program, Australian Sports Commission Chief Executive Simon Hollingsworth stated "we are proud to provide financial assistance to the cream of our nation’s Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games athletes to enable them to train, recover and compete.

“The simple fact is most of these athletes are not financially well rewarded and would not have an opportunity to reach their potential without dAIS support.”

dAIS is a means-tested payment direct to the athletes who have shown they have the potential to achieve podium success for Australia at the world championship level as well athletes who have the potential to achieve podium results for Australia in the future.

To be eligible for dAIS an athlete must have an average after-tax income of less than $60,000 per annum over the previous four years.

AIS Director Matt Favier added “this payment, delivered through the AIS, is designed to help about 900 of our best and brightest athletes when they most need it

“A detailed review of the previous scheme discovered financial support to athletes could be enhanced by changing the eligibility criteria and increasing the grant amounts.”

Nominations from eligible national sporting organisations for the first round of the scheme are due on 10th October.

Click here for more information on dAIS.

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