The Australian Government is backing high performing athletes across the New England by investing $50.6 million over the next two years to ensure Australia remains a world-leading sporting nation.
Federal Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, said the Government is committed to helping Australia’s sporting sector impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our region has a strong track record of giving rise to talented elite athletes and coaches, so it’s important they are supported as they strive to reach their ultimate goals,” Mr Joyce said.
“To nurture that talent we’ve invested millions of dollars in first-class facilities like the Northern Inland Centre of Sporting Excellence, the new Glen Innes Regional Netball Facility and redevelopment of Tamworth Tennis Centre, as well as upgrades to community swimming pools, tennis courts and playing fields from Bingara to Merriwa, Dungowan to Currabubula.
“This additional funding will further support our Olympic and Paralympic athletes and coaches across the New England as they prepare for the Tokyo 2021 Olympics and Paralympics, the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics and the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.”
Minister for Youth and Sport, Senator Richard Colbeck said with the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics likely to be the first major international sporting event to take place following the COVID-19 pandemic, Australian athletes are set to inspire the next generation.
“Sport Australia will distribute the high-performance grants to our national sporting organisations who will identify, train and develop their most promising athletes,” Minister Colbeck said.
“The Government is aware many national sporting organisations have had to stand down staff and reduce their hours because of COVID-19.
“Without this investment to high performance funding, there is a significant risk our best coaches and high-performance support staff will face an uncertain future.”
Additionally, as part of the previously announced $70 million Supporting Sport and Physical Activity election commitment, Minister Colbeck said more than $3.9 million will be brought forward to invest in five projects to improve infrastructure at high performance facilities across Australia.
(ENDS)