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he Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) has announced a boost in high-performance funding for Olympic and Paralympic national sporting organisations (NSOs).

This funding boost provides 34 NSOs with added certainty in preparation for the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021, including increased allocations for rugby 7s, football, Paralympics, and surfing.

Within the funding, which follows the Australian Federal Government’s announcement of a $50.6 million investment over two years into high-performance sport, Rugby Australia will receive an extra $2.2 million, seven Paralympic sports will share $1.5 million, football will see the men’s national team receive an extra $400,000 and surfing will receive $200,000, all acting as one-off increases.

The AIS Investment framework has ensured funding for 2020/21 has been maintained for all remaining sports at their current levels, with the boost coming as the AIS is focused on funding for international podium results and to prioritise the delivery of sustainable success at multi-sport pinnacle events.

Australian Sports Commission (ASC) chair, John Wylie, said the NSOs need the best chance of achieving medal success at the Olympic Games next year, and this investment will provide the platform to do so.

“Sports continue to feel the impact of COVID-19 however this funding will allow sports to plan with certainty and get ready for what I am sure will be an exciting and competitive Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Wylie said.

“More than ever, Australians are turning to sport to lift spirits and I have no doubt our high-performance athletes will play a key role in our country’s recovery from this pandemic.

“I would like to acknowledge the Federal Government and thank Minister for Sport Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck for his support of Australia’s high-performance athletes and system,” he said.

AIS CEO, Peter Conde, said in order to work towards the AIS goal of multiple medallists over multiple Games cycles, sports require certainty to compete at the highest levels.

“This is the first Olympics for surfing and the first time in 12 years that the Olyroos have qualified for the Games, so this funding allows these sports to confidently prepare and get ready to show the world just what they can do,” Conde said.

“We will also be hoping that through this support the Australian Rugby 7s deliver a repeat of the gold medal success our women’s team experienced in Rio.

“It is through investments like this, along with additional support the AIS provides through wellbeing, workforce support and technology and innovation, that we see high-performance sport inspiring both future competitors and the wider Australian community,” he said.

Following the announcement, Rugby Australia interim CEO, Rob Clarke, said the boost in investment is welcomed and provides an added certainty to the Australian teams looking for continued Olympic Games success.

“On behalf of Rugby Australia and both of our Sevens teams, we thank the Australian Institute of Sport for their increased support for our programs,” Clarke said.

“This increase is a tick of approval for our teams and the progress they had made before the World Series was suspended with our Australian Women’s Sevens pressing for another title and our men’s team were finishing the season with a wet sail as they sat in fourth position with four rounds to go.

“This extra funding will allow for more security and greater planning ahead the Tokyo Olympic Games and as we move forward in a new Sevens landscape,” he said.