Government backs sports ahead of Comm Games

THE federal government and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) have locked in more than $17millionfor Bowls,Netball and Squash, giving theseCommonwealth Games sports astrong platform for success as Victoria 2026 fast approaches Commonwealth GamesAustralia chiefexecutive, Craig Phillips AM, said that confirmation of funding ensures these selectsportscan focus on their preparations for ahome Games in just over three years.

He also endorsed the need for audacious investment across allVictoria2026program sports to ensure the green and gold remain atop the medal tally, after their success at Birmingham 2022.

“Victoria 2026 is acriticalmilestone in Australia’s High Performance 2032+ Sport Strategy, and we welcome this generous funding commitment for Netball, Squash and Bowls by the Australian government and AustralianSportsCommission,” Phillips said.

“For all sports, certainty in funding is what provides for appropriate planning and delivery ahead of competitiononthe worldstage. Our hope is thatthis bold, early investment continues for allVictoria 2026 program sports.

“To top the medal tally in Birmingham, it took the combined efforts of 19 sports. All our member sports will need appropriate levels of investment.”

Bowls is the big winner, receiving a59per cent increase in funding to $5.6 million. This ensures it can supportboth para and able-bodied highperformance programs.

Netball and the Australian Diamonds,who have competedinevery CommonwealthGamesgold medal match, will receive $9.4m in funding, while Squash will receive $2.36m.

Australian SportsCommission (ASC)chief executive,Kieren Perkins OAM, said the AIS was committed to working on behalf of sport to deliver longer-term funding.

“We thank the Australian government for their belief andconfidence in us and the Australian high performance sport system to deliver meaningful results for our country,” Perkins said.

“There’s no doubt funding like this is crucial to helping Australian sport produce more medalwinning moments, but these sporting victories are also big winners for our nation more broadly, benefittingareas such as our economy and our physical and mental health.

“Australia’s High Performance 2032+ Sport Strategy outlines ourcollective plantobuild sustainable success in Australian sport. Victoria 2026 is ahugemilestone on our journey over this Green and GoldDecade to the Brisbane2032 Olympics and Paralympics, and beyond.”

Federal Ministerfor Sport, Anika Wells, said this funding would help boost sporting equality during the Green and Gold Decade, and create lasting benefits for athletes and fans.

“The Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games will take high performance sport directly to regional Australia. When you consider aspects of these Games, such as the full integration of para-sport, it’s awonderfulevent to inspire and connect all Australianswith sport. The Australian government is proud to support our Aussie athletes and sports to representour nation and perform at their best,” Wells said.

“It was incredible to watch our Australian athletes compete so brilliantly and top the medal tally at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, but it’s even more exciting to think Australians will get to experience all that excitement first-hand and on home soil at Victoria 2026.”

Australia was represented by 429 athletes at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, with the team toppingthe medal tally with 67 gold, 57 silverand 54 bronze medals.

The Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games will be held from March 17 to 29 2026 across fiveregional hubs -Gippsland,Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong,and Shepparton -and will feature 22 sports.

Photograph supplied

“Swimmers,coaches andparentscame together over the three days to put in one mighty effort of racing, competing and cheering in what is one our best meets ever”.

Swimmer of the meet for the club was multi-class athlete, 16-year-old Kayla Wilson, who won five gold medals, dominating her events.

In the able bodiedevents, the two young guns, 12-year-old PhoebeBalcombe(three gold,one silver) and 13-year-old Brody Cargill (two gold, one silver, one bronze) were outstanding in their age group.

The club now heads towards the Gippsland Championships in Sale, where it has won the past 23 years in succession as the premier team.

It hopes to have abig team withmore than 100 swimmers to hold back the challenges coming from the South Gippsland Bass and Warragul clubs, who also will have more than 100 swimmers competing at the meet.

Agreat competition featuring the best Gippsland swimmerswillbeheld in Sale this Friday to Sunday at Aqua Energy.