Australian athletes are set to benefit from a $54 million funding commitment to the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) over the next two years.

The NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) welcomes the significant high performance funding announced in Tuesday’s Federal Budget which will work to improve talent identification and development programs, provide additional support to athlete wellbeing and personal development initiatives, and improve means-tested financial support for athletes.

NSWIS CEO Kevin Thompson highlighted the importance of the funding’s key focus areas.

“Talent identification and development is crucial to ensuring Australia remains a global leader in high performance sport”, Thompson said.

“It is an area that NSWIS, in partnership with the NSW Government, has invested significantly in and we look forward to working with the AIS and the National Institute Network towards the provision of greater support for talented young athletes across the country.”

Following the introduction of the AIS’ Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement division in early 2018, the funding boost will assist in the continued rollout of initiatives aimed at addressing athlete mental health, and supporting athletes’ personal and professional development.

“Athletes are at the core of everything we do”, Thompson continued.

“Therefore, it is paramount that we not only support their competitive endeavours but ensure holistic support to each individual; fostering positive mental health and helping them prepare for the transition into life after sport.”

The $54 million formed part of the $158 million total of new investment into the AIS and Sport Australia as part of the national sport plan, Sport 2030.

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