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he Australian Sports Commission (ASC) has released its 2021-2025 corporate plan highlighting Sport Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport’s (AIS) commitment to growing participation in organised sport, supporting high-performance sport, and developing champions of the future.
The AIS will continue to lead the high-performance system via the National High-Performance Sports Strategy 2024 to deliver national pride and inspiration through international sporting success.
Minister for Sport, Richard Colbeck, said Sport Australia and the AIS had shown tremendous agility and a renewed focus on supporting the sport.
Colbeck said the Australian Government’s commitment to funding sport at every level had also helped the sector navigate the extraordinary challenges of COVID-19.
“This financial year alone, we will spend more than $500 million on sport and recreation, and in the 2021-22 budget we announced an additional $245.8 million for support over and above our regular sports funding commitments,” Colbeck said.
“This includes an additional $136.3 million to support Australia’s high-performance system.
“Australia’s remarkable achievements at the Tokyo Olympics was an inspiration to us all.
“It not only inspired our sport stars of the future but it also highlights what can be achieved when funding and support meets the needs of elite sport men and women,” he said.
Colbeck also said the ASC would increase participation at every level while ensuring a world-leading high-performance system is in place to prioritise athlete wellbeing.
ASC chair, Josephine Sukkar, added: “The AIS remains focused on helping our athletes to be successful in both sport and life, and its greater focus on wellbeing has prepared our athletes well for the challenges we are facing as a result of the pandemic.”
“Sport has an incredible ability to unite, inspire and build healthier, stronger communities.
“The pandemic has presented us with uncertainty but also opportunity to refocus our goals to support and grow Australian sport at all levels.
“By helping Australians understand the value and benefits of sport and growing the capability of our sport workforce, we can make Australia Stronger through sport.
“Sport Australia will do this through the development of initiatives and platforms such as the Australian Sport Learning Centre, SportAUS Connect and Game Plan, as well as lead and facilitate knowledge sharing across the sport sector via our Clearinghouse for Sport,” she said.
Colbeck added: “The potential for sport to inspire Australian’s over the next decade or so is unrivalled, highlighted by the recent announcement that Brisbane will host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with a fabulous green and gold runway of events.”
“The ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup, FIBA Basketball Women’s World Cup, FIFA Women’s World Cup and Netball World Cup and the 2022 UCI Road World Championships are already confirmed, among other major international events, providing the nation with a unique opportunity to come together and celebrate through sport,” he said.
