Investing in our future sporting champions

Support for major events

Major sporting events like the 2012 London Olympic Games provide role models for future generations of Australians. In the four years to 2011‑12, the Government has invested over $380 million to help our athletes succeed in London.

The Government is supporting major sporting events including the 2015 Cricket World Cup and 2015 Asian Cup by contributing:

• $50 million to the Stage 2 redevelopment of the Sydney Cricket Ground;
• $30 million to the redevelopment of the Adelaide Oval; and
• $15 million to the redevelopment of the Bellerive Oval in Hobart.

Keeping our kids active and safe

The Government is providing $39.2 million in 2013 to encourage children to participate in after‑school sport and other physical activities through the Active After‑School Communities program. Around 190,000 primary school children participate in the program.

We are funding a new initiative to reduce drowning among young children. The new initiative includes the development of water safety education material and a water safety curriculum that can be delivered in early childhood centres.

Investing in local sporting infrastructure

The Government is investing some $30 million in the 2012‑13 Budget for local sporting infrastructure including $10 million for a new community sports centre in the Olympic Park Precinct in Melbourne.

The Government is allocating $5 million in western Sydney to support local football players and teams, as well as local football infrastructure and community engagement programs and $3 million towards the redevelopment of Football New South Wales headquarters.