The 2024-25 Federal Budget includes more than $97 million over two years to the ASC to extend Sporting Schools, the Local Sporting Champions, and Local Para Champions programs, and participation funding to help more Australians get active.

“Once again, I want to thank Minister Wells and the Australian Government for their continued support and investment in Australian sport,” Mr Perkins said.

“This funding extends critical sport participation programs like the Participation Grant program and Sporting Schools which provides free and fun sporting opportunities to more than two million students each year.”

“This follows last week’s announcement of $249.7 million to upgrade the AIS Campus to ensure our athletes have access to the world’s best testing and training facilities, and accommodation ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

More than 24,000 young Australians will be supported with the Local Sporting Champions (LSC) and Local Para Champions (LSP) grants programs continuing for a further two years.

The LSC/LSP grants provide financial assistance to young competitors, coaches, and officials to attend state, national or international championships, with Australia’s fastest woman Torrie Lewis, Winter Olympics champion Jakara Anthony and Matildas hero Cortnee Vine among those to have received support from the LSC program throughout their junior careers.

The ASC continues to work closely with Olympic and Paralympic sports to develop their high performance strategies for the Los Angeles 2028 Games cycle. These discussions will help inform the Australian Government’s investment strategy following the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The ASC has already provided funding to our Olympic and Paralympic sports to support their athletes and high performance programs through to 31 December 2024.