Local NSW Sporting Communities Receive Funding Boost

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ew South Wales’ (NSW) budget for 2021-22 will provide over $450 million over four years for the state’s sport and active recreation sector to promote an increase in a healthy and active lifestyle.

According to the NSW Office of Sport, $200 million will be allocated to the establishment of a new Multi-Sport Community Infrastructure Fund and $150 million for a new Centres of Excellence Program.

Minister for Sport, Natalie Ward, said the focus of the sports funding boost is to get communities in NSW to engage more with local sports.

“The establishment of the new Multi-Sport Community Infrastructure Fund and Centres of Excellence Program continues the NSW Government’s significant investment in providing new and improved facilities throughout the state,” Ward said.

“From basketball to cricket and everything in between, this continued investment will support participation from local communities to our elite athletes, through improved access to facilities,” she said.

$44 million has also been allocated for a Learn to Swim Active Pre-schooler voucher program which aims to build on the success of the Active Kids program.

The program will offer $100 vouchers for children between the ages of three and six who are not yet involved in school and will begin this summer.

“This initiative will enable more families to enrol their children in lessons and adds to the more than 130 rebates, concessions and other cost of living measures available to individuals and families across NSW,” ward said.

“It is critical young children have the opportunity to participate in swimming lessons and learn water safety skills as part of their development,” she said.

Another investment in water safety, $16 million over four years will be used to upgrade Surf Life Saving Club facilities along the NSW’s coast as part of the Surf Club Facility Program.

Funding has also been allocated to the development of talented local athletes with the budget providing $21.4 million over four years for the NSW Institute of Sport and ongoing funding for the Regional Academies of Sport network.