Program Function: The NSW Government committed $150 million over two years to support the development of integrated high-performance sporting facilities as part of the 2021-2022 State Budget. The Centre of Excellence Fund is a key sporting initiative of the Budget, aimed at improving talent pathways and community engagement for all sporting codes.
Centres of Excellence will feature multi-purpose facilities, enabling sports to bridge the gap between elite sport and the general community and expand their community programs and outcomes. The Fund will assist eligible organisations to develop integrated facilities that include high-performance training and administration areas to assist talent identification and development opportunities. The Fund focuses on infrastructure that delivers the best outcomes for the community and ensures that the best possible value for money is achieved.
Program Term: Applications opened on 31 October 2022 and closed on 5 December 2022 and grants were announced in February 2023. Projects are expected to commence by February 2024 and project construction be completed within two years of commencing.
Applicants: A total of 16 applications were submitted for consideration, 6 of which were successful. The total amount awarded through the Centre of Excellence Fund 2022/23 is $80,150,000.00 with a total value including co-contributions of $172,837,807.00
Probity: The Office of Sport engages an independent probity advisor to oversee its grant programs. The role of the probity advisor is to ensure program administration satisfies probity principles of impartiality, fairness, accountability, confidentiality and achieves policy objectives. In doing this the probity advisor:
- Reviews and provides feedback on key program documents
- Provides clarifications to queries when required
- Recommends management action for conflicts of interest and any other probity issues that arise
- Attends assessment meetings to ensure, amongst other things, that assessment criteria are applied diligently, and the assessment is based on information provided by applicants.
With respect to this particular grant program, the probity advisor confirms the process was open and fair and there are no outstanding probity issues.
Source Agency: The NSW Office of Sport administered the Program on behalf of the NSW Government. Final decisions on the award of funding were made by the Minister for Sport.
| Recipient Organisation | Recipient Location LGA | Project Title | Project Location | Brief project description | Total Amount Awarded |
| AFL NSW/ACT | Council Of The City Of Sydney | Showring Oval, the new home of women's sport | The Showring, Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park NSW 2021 | AFL NSW/ACT in partnership with the Sydney Roosters, will undertake the revitalisation of the Showring within the Entertainment Quarter in Moore Park to create the new home of women's sport in Sydney. This project will deliver a world-class community oval and multi-purpose green public space, universally inclusive changerooms and amenities, and a high performance training and administration centre to support women's rugby league and women's AFL. The multi-sport project will accommodate the expanding needs of both organisations and create a venue that supports pathways for both sports from junior participation through to elite teams year round. | $15,000,000.00 |
| *Campbelltown City Council | Campbelltown City Council | Campbelltown Sports Stadium Centre of Excellence | Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Pembroke Road, Leumeah NSW 2560 | This project proposes the delivery and management of Sport and Health Centre of Excellence (CoE) at Campbelltown Sports Stadium. Working in partnership with Western Sydney University (WSU) and in collaboration with other stakeholders, the CoE will be designed, developed and operated to provide programs that are in-line with National and State sporting bodies, to support talent identification and the development of pathways for female athletes into elite sport, in addition to the promotion of innovation in sports science / medicine. | $15,000,000.00 |
| Cumberland Council | Cumberland Council | Auburn Basketball Centre of Excellence - Stage 2 | Auburn Basketball Centre, Wyatt Park, Lidcombe | Auburn Basketball Centre is an existing three court facility located within the Central City District of Greater Sydney. This project will expand the existing facility to cater for the full spectrum of participation and athlete pathway development. This includes a dedicated basketball high performance centre that will become the training and development home for professional basketball including women's basketball (Sydney Flames) that provides a local & regional pathway for participation. | $15,000,000.00 |
| Manly Warringah Gymnastics Club | Northern Beaches Council | MWGC – Gymnastics and Multi-Sport Centre of Excellence | Nolan Reserve, 431 Pittwater Road, North Manly NSW 2100 | The project – MWGC Gymnastics and Multi-Sport Centre of Excellence - Project location - Nolan Reserve North Manly - Corner of Pittwater and Kentwell Roads - High-level significance - Community/Local/Regional/State and National High-Performance - Size and capacity - 4750m2 - 11m clear height - International standard facilities - Compliant to all relevant International and Australian design and technical standards As a Centre of Excellence for Men’s & Women’s Gymnastics & Trampoline Sports the facility will become one of the State’s primary venues for community recreational sport, National elite training clinics, competitions, and coach education. |
$5,150,000.00 |
| Tamworth Regional Council | Tamworth Regional Council | Northern Inland Aquatic, Education and Health Centre of Excellence | Northern Inland Centre of Sporting Excellence, 7/9 Jack Smyth Drive, Hillvue NSW 2340 | The Northern Inland Aquatic, Education and Health Centre will deliver metropolitan opportunities in a regional setting. The Centre will integrate a state of the art, modern aquatic facility that includes a ten lane 51.5m pool with boom and floating floor, learn to swim pool, water play area, amenities and a creche. Associated infrastructure includes administration and sports offices, medical consultation rooms, functional and rehabilitation gymnasium, sport science lab, technologically advanced teaching spaces for university students and lounge areas. All facility components are supported by key stakeholders across the sporting, community, health, education, local and state government sectors. | $15,000,000.00 |
| Western Sydney Football Club Limited | City Of Parramatta Council | Giants Training and Community Centre Upgrade | Tom Wills Oval - GWS GIANTS Training & Administration Facility, 1 Olympic Blvd, Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127 | The installation of facilities and amenities that provide a home ground for the GIANTS AFLW team, high performance facilities for the GIANTS’ three (3) professional sporting teams, a venue for community and pathway level teams and competitions, and enable the club to expand its community outreach programming. Specifically, the installation of lighting, scoreboard, oval fencing and swimming pool complex. This project has a particular focus on creating greater womens’ elite and pathway opportunities while providing increased access and utilisation for grassroots community clubs and schools in Western Sydney. | $15,000,000.00 |
* Withdrawn by applicant