Australia:
• Hockey one of 70 sports to benefit from historic $385m Win Well and Play Well investment
• High Performance funding to kickstart preparations for LA2028 Games
• More sports than ever receiving Play Well participation funding
Hockey Australia welcomes the groundbreaking sports investment package from the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), marking a major milestone for Australian hockey as it starts preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The ASC today announced a record investment funding package, which will see $385m invested in 70 sports over the next 18 months, resulting in a 64% increase each year compared to the period leading up to the Paris Games.
This is the first time the ASC has allocated funding that stretches from the playground to the podium, building on the success of the sector-wide High Performance (Win Well) and Participation (Play Well) strategies.
Hockey Australia CEO David Pryles acknowledged the ASC and the significance of the funding for Australian hockey.
“The ASC’s investment package is a massive boost for hockey in Australia. The landmark funding allocation is vital for ensuring sustained excellence on the world stage which extends to LA 2028 and beyond to Brisbane 2032.
“The announcement reflects the ASC’s confidence in Hockey Australia’s “Win Well, Play Well” strategy, and we acknowledge the support of the Australian Government with this significant boost as we nurture talent in all facets of our High Performance pathways and begin preparations for LA 2028 and beyond.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport, the Hon Anika Wells:
“This is a record funding package for Australian sport, so they can take full advantage of the generational opportunity between now and Brisbane 2032.
“Our record $385 million investment in high performance sport over the next 18 months, which includes a doubling of investment in Para sport, will enable our athletes to win well on the road to Los Angeles while also encouraging more Australians to play sport.
“We are creating more opportunities for more athletes by increasing the number of sports we support from 54 to 68 summer Olympic and Paralympic programs.
“It’s important that our kids and community sporting champions experience the same level of opportunity and I welcome the Play Well funding goal to create a safe, fair and sustainable sport system that grows participation and nurtures tomorrow’s champions.”
Quotes attributable to Australian Sports Commission CEO Kieren Perkins OAM:
“The remaining eight years until Brisbane 2032 is our chance to unite and inspire Australia through sport.
“The Play Well and Win Well funding announced today lays the foundation to do just that. We will be supporting more Australians to enjoy their sport than ever before, from those in grassroots to our Olympians, Paralympians and Commonwealth Games athletes making us proud on the world stage.
“I would like to thank the Australian Government for their vision and ongoing support to allow all Australians to both play well and win well.”
MORE INFORMATION ON THE WIN WELL FUNDING
Following 12 months of consultation with sports on their strategy and performance targets leading up to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympics, the Win Well funding highlights include:
• More sports being supported, with an increase from 54 to 68 summer Olympic and Paralympic programs to be funded in the lead-up to LA2028
• Para sport investment doubled by an additional $54.9m over two years
• Seven new teams to receive funding across Lacrosse, Flag Football, Goalball and Blind Football
• Two additional one-off investment streams worth over $25m, including a stream focused on addressing sector gaps related to workforce planning and staff development.
MORE INFORMATION ON THE PLAY WELL FUNDING
The investment in 63 sports will not only fund participation activities but also aligns with the Play Well Strategy, with highlights including:
• More sports receiving ASC investment than ever before
• $43.9m funding to create safe, welcoming, inclusive and fun places to play sport
• Five sports receiving funding for the first time: Australian Dragon Boat Federation, Handball Australia, Australian Flying Disc Association, American Football Australia and the Gaelic Football and Hurling Association of Australasia
• More than double the number of people to be directly employed to deliver participation activities across sports.
All Win Well and Play Well Funding will be allocated from 1 January 2025 until 30 June 2026
