New South Wales athletes heading to the 2018 Commonwealth Games are set to benefit from a half-million dollar funding boost from the NSW Government.

Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres today announced the funding as the Gold Coast 2018 Queen’s Baton Relay arrived at Sydney Olympic Park.

“With only two months to go until the Games begin, our star athletes are getting ready to shine on the international stage and the NSW Government is backing them all the way,” Mr Ayres said.

“Today has been a great chance to show our support and the $500,000 funding will be provided to the Commonwealth Games NSW Division to assist talented NSW athletes representing Australia.

“The Games is the perfect opportunity to put aside our state rivalries, pull out our green and gold and support our amazing athletes on home soil.”

The funding boost is in addition to support provided to the NSW Institute of Sport for high performance services for elite athletes, many of whom will compete at the Commonwealth Games.

For the past 7 days, the Queens Baton has travelled around NSW in the hands of more than 470 baton bearers. It will journey through more than 28 communities in NSW, finishing at Batemans Bay on 6 February.

The Gold Coast 2018 Queen’s Baton Relay is the longest and most accessible relay in history, travelling a record 388 days and 230,000 km around the world, including 40,000 km in Australia.

The Queen’s Baton has inspired thousands of people through Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas, Europe, Asia and Oceania, building excitement for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Ministerial Media Release

MEDIA: Vanessa Grimm I Minister Ayres I 0419 744 236

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