Media Releases

11 May 2010 - $325 MILLION BOOST TO SPORT & GETTING MORE AUSTRALIANS ACTIVE

THE HON KATE ELLIS MP
MINISTER FOR SPORT


MEDIA RELEASE
Tuesday, 11 May 2010

$325 MILLION BOOST TO SPORT & GETTING MORE AUSTRALIANS ACTIVE

The Rudd Government will boost the number of Australians participating in sport and drive Australia's continued sporting success through the delivery of $324.8 million ongoing funding.

'Australian Sport: The Pathway to Success' is backed by $195.2 million in new funding  the biggest funding injection to sport in our nation's history.

The Rudd Government will invest a record $1.2 billion in sport over the next four years, building on our $300 million boost to community sporting facilities in 2009, the single largest investment in community sporting infrastructure that this country has ever seen.

Australia has always been at the forefront of innovation and doing things differently to ensure our competitive edge when it comes to sport.

What has become clear is that our approach to sport has stagnated over the last decade resulting in stunted participation rates, skyrocketing obesity numbers and an emerging decline in our international sporting performances.

The Rudd Government is forging a new way forward for Australian Sport.

'Australian Sport: The Pathway to Success' delivers on the Rudd Government's commitment to boost funding to both community and elite sport.

For the first time, it also delivers significant investment to the all-important development pathway - the vital link connecting grassroots and high performance sport.

The Australian Government's whole-of-sport approach focuses on delivering in three key areas:
1. Increasing the number of Australians participating in sport
2. Strengthening sporting pathways
3. Striving for success
Specific initiatives under these three areas include:

Delivering the first Sport and Education Strategy to bring a new focus on the delivery of quality sport in schools and boost the number of our children participating in sport

Requiring National Sporting Organisations (NSOs) to have an increased focus on participation outcomes as part of their funding agreements with the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and boosting funding opportunities for NSOs to grow grassroots participation through direct grants to community clubs

Delivering a National Sport and Active Recreation Policy Framework that will for the first time enable a co-ordinated, whole-of-sport approach to sport from Commonwealth and State and Territory Governments

Additional coaching and officiating training opportunities for up to 45,000 community coaches and officials, and subsidise the costs associated with training for 5,000 new community coaches and officials
Investing in the development pathway by doubling the Local Sporting Champion program to support 8,000 junior athletes to participate in competition; and boosting opportunities for up and coming athletes to compete in domestic competition

Doubling our talent identification program to support 10,000 aspiring Australian athletes and employ more talent scouts

Requiring Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Scholarship-holders to volunteer at local community sporting clubs or junior sport programs

Boosting funding to identify, attract, develop and retain our high performance coaches including support for incentive packages and professional development.

Expanding funding support to our high performance athletes to support their training and participation in international competition

Re-aligning our high performances institutions and academies in a landmark partnership with State and Territories that will deliver a more cohesive system for sporting excellence

The Rudd Government will also deliver a $324.8 million investment into the ASC funding base to create a secure platform to plan beyond Budget cycles.

In particular, this will assist in better preparation for major events such as the Olympic and the Paralympic Games.

This significant suite of reforms represents the largest reform of Australian sport in three decades.

It will boost the number of Australian participating in sport, especially our children, while positioning Australia to continue to shine on the international stage.

In recognition of the significant leadership role played by the ASC, Australia's peak national sport agency will be tasked with implementing 'Australian Sport: The Pathway to Success' and distributing funding.

The Rudd Government's vision for sport not only brings a new strategic focus, but also helps equip our community to tackle the health and ageing challenges we face in the 21st century.

Australian Sport: The Pathway to Success is attached and available at: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/pathway-to-success


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