The Australian Sports Foundation has revealed it distributed a record $43.3 million to Australian sports clubs and athletes in FY20 (financial year 2019-20), despite the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In its yearly report, the Sports Foundation revealed the $43.3 million was funded by donations from nearly 23,000 donors, with the organisation donating $2.6 million to clubs affected by COVID-19, $1.4 million to clubs affects by bushfires, and $1.4 million to emerging representative athletes.

As part of the report, it was revealed the top 10 fundraising sports in 2019-20 were:

1. AFL $15.70 million
2. Golf $3.55 million
3. Football $3.29 million
4. Rugby Union $3.06 million
5. Sailing $3.00 million
6. Basketball $2.98 million
7. Rugby League $2.47 million
8. Multi-Sport $2.45 million
9. Rowing $1.12 million
10. Softball $1.08 million

Australian Sports Foundation CEO, Patrick Walker, said the results recognise the high regard Australians place on sport and the role sport plays within communities.

“The 2019-20 financial year was a record result for philanthropic funding for sport at all levels throughout Australia,” Walker said.

“Sport helps create better, healthier and more vibrant societies and we thank Australians for their continued generosity and support of their club and community,” he said.

Elsewhere, the Australian Sports Foundation has partnered with Queensland Rugby League (QRL) in an effort to help rugby league clubs make the most of the upcoming season and start free online fundraisers for communities to make tax deductible donations to grassroots clubs.

The partnership comes after the 2019-20 financial report revealed QRL clubs raised an average of $8,000 each with the help of the Australian Sports Foundation.