NSW Government increases funding for elite athletes

NSW Olympic and Paralympic athletes have received a boost with the announcement of a $3 million recurrent investment for the NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) over the next three years.

In making the announcement, NSW Institute of Sport CEO Kevin Thompson highlighted the numerous opportunities that would stem directly from the additional funding.

“This funding goes a long way towards ensuring future successes for the state’s elite athletes,” Thompson said.

“The additional funding will allow NSWIS to expand its team of experts working with athletes and create world class training programs.”

The investment comes after NSWIS supported athletes won a total of 47 medals, including 22 gold, at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

NSW Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres acknowledged the additional support will assist with various fundamental issues impacting athlete performance.

“I am thrilled to confirm the funding which will assist NSWIS in their ongoing support of Australian athletes competing on the world’s stage” said Ayres.

“Increasing the capacity and capabilities of NSWIS coaching and performance support staff will help prepare our athletes for success at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, and beyond.”

The confirmation of additional recurrent funding for the NSW Institute of Sport is vital for the Institute to continue to support Australian athletes to become world’s best. In particular the additional funding will assist in the implementation of a transformative and strategic approach to fundamental issues affecting athlete performance.

The funding will enable the integration of data analytics across numerous business areas through the employment of data analysts and scientists. This will aid the proactive management of athlete health and improve high performance outcomes through informed decision making from an enhanced capability to utilise the athlete management system.

In preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics and beyond NSWIS will also seek to increase coaching and performance support staff capability and capacity and introduce specialist expertise in talent identification.

NSWIS will also improve facility access and maintenance, in addition to enhanced medical and therapeutic clinical services and support, to continue towards the core purpose of supporting Australian athletes to become world’s best.

The introduction of PhD program scholarships will provide the opportunity to partner with universities and industry partners on applied projects and develop the next generation of service providers in key athlete support areas.