The continuing growth of women's sport will be boosted by about $200 million over the next four years as part of the government's $385 million national sport plan.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The bulk of the budget funding for women's sport is the $150 million promised over the next four years for the development of female change room facilities at sporting grounds and community swimming facilities across the country.
The government is providing $30 million to support the construction of a new Brisbane AFLW facility in Queensland and help with the redevelopment of Carlton's AFLW facilities at Ikon Park in Melbourne.
But there's also $12 million over four years for Tennis Australia to increase opportunities for women and girls to participate in grassroots tennis.
And the government will provide $7.7 million over two years to promote and prepare for the 2020 ICC Women's T20 World Cup in Australia, while Netball NT will get $40,000 so it can compete in the Australian Netball League.
All up the government will provide $385.6 million over six years to support the implementation of a national sport plan called Sport 2030.
The plan includes establishing a new body, Sport Integrity Australia, to carry out anti-doping and integrity functions, and a National Sports Tribunal to hear and resolve rule violations.
Also included in the budget is $54.1 million over two years leading up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics for high performance grants to National Sporting Organisations and to support athletes through the Direct Athlete Support Scheme.
And $8 million is set aside for the Australian Paralympic Team to prepare for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
Other key sports funding in the budget includes:
* $4.5 million over six years to develop a Sport Industry Growth Plan;
* $42.5 million in 2018-19 for the Community Sport Infrastructure Program to fund sport infrastructure projects in local communities;
* $41 million over two years to continue and expand the Sporting Schools Program to provide free sport-based activities for students in 6,000 primary and secondary schools;
* $23.6 million over four years for grants to strengthen social inclusion through sport;
* and $1.4 million over two years for Special Olympics Australia to improve health and physical activity outcomes for young people with intellectual disability.
Australian Associated Press
