NSW Government announces $150 million Centre of Excellence Fund for community sport

The NSW Government has announced a $150 million commitment within its 2021/22 NSW budget to support the development of integrated high-performance sporting facilities and improve talent pathways and community engagement for sport.

A key sporting initiative of the NSW budget, the Centre of Excellence Fund will be used for facilities across NSW with the aim of supporting the professional development of local NSW athletes.

Advising that the Fund would give the construction industry a boost and foster community participation in sporting codes at a grassroots level as well as supporting the professional development of local athletes, NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet explained “the Centre of Excellence Fund will provide communities across the State with the ability to fund and build modern sporting facilities supporting thousands of additional construction jobs and helping to recharge our economy as we bounce back from the pandemic.

“The two-year Centre of Excellence Fund is a key initiative of our state-wide sports infrastructure plan which is creating a sports facility construction boom across NSW.”

NSW Minister for Sport Natalie Ward said the fund would help sporting codes develop community centres that will include integrated high-performance training and administration facilities to assist talent identification and development opportunities.

Minister Ward added “while improving talent development pathways is a key component, each Centre of Excellence will include multi-purpose facilities, enabling sports to expand community programs and bridge the gap between elite sport and the general community.

“The NSW Government is absolutely committed to breaking down barriers in women’s sport and all Centres of Excellence will feature dedicated female programs and facilities to improve pathways for women and girls.”

Welcoming the funding, NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) Chief Executive, Kevin Thompson stated “this fund provides a fantastic opportunity to increase access to world-class facilities across a wide range of sports.

“Having Centres of Excellence available to local communities across the state will not only provide benefits for grassroots sports but help pave the way for our future Olympic and Paralympic representatives.

“NSWIS looks forward to working closely with state and national sporting organisations on the development of new Centres of Excellence, which will place NSW athletes in a strong position ahead of what will hopefully be a home Games in 2032.”

Funding will be made available through a competitive grants process, which will require a co-contribution and applicants will need to demonstrate improved community participation outcomes.

Image: Sports fields at Tamworth's Northern Inland Centre of Sporting Excellence. Credit: JLE Electrical.