South Australia’s High Performance Program continues to support elite athletes

South Australia’s High Performance Athlete Program has helped the state’s elite athletes compete on the world’s biggest stages and is again open for applications to help more home-grown athletes achieve their sporting dreams.

The High Performance Athlete Program (HPAP) provides elite athletes with financial support to help them reach the highest national and international levels of competition – enabling rising stars like 22-year-old boxer Callum Peters to make his Olympic debut in Paris last year.

A total $152,000 in State Government funding will be shared among eligible applicants who compete in a sport, discipline and classification represented at the Olympic, Paralympic or Commonwealth Games.

HPAP helps offset the costs associated with high performance training, competition and equipment – tearing down barriers on the path to gold.

The program has been modified from the previous Individual Athlete Program (IAP) and integrates the Country Athlete Award to streamline the application process and ensure talented junior athletes in regional areas continue to have access to funding.

This funding has had a significant impact in previous years, contributing to South Australia’s impressive representation on national teams.

Last year, 14 IAP recipients were selected to represent Australia at the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Local athletes featured in this group include Indigenous boxer Callum Peters, Para-athletics silver medallist Michael Roeger, Para-table tennis bronze medallist Sam Von Einem and Commonwealth Games gold medallist marathon runner Jessica Stenson.

Applications for this year’s program close on Wednesday, 9th April.

Boxer and previous grant recipient Callum Peters shared I’ve been receiving funding through this program since 2022, using this financial support for boxing gear and travel, and it’s been a massive help.

“Being part of the program has played a role in helping me achieve some big goals including competing at the Olympics and winning a silver medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

“I’m now working towards competing at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and LA 2028 so for any other athletes like me who have similar ambitions, I think it’s a great idea for them to apply.”

For more information and to apply, visit: orsr.sa.gov.au/grants/high-performance-athlete-program