Regional Academy of Sport Grant Program
The NSW Government provides funding support to the network of 11 Regional Academies of Sport as part of its commitment to supporting young athletes in regional areas and future Olympic hopefuls.
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Important dates
- Application open and close dates:
- RAS Project A: Opened 15th December 2022, Closed 6th February 2023
- RAS Project B: Opened 15th December 2022, Closed 2nd February 2023
- RAS Project C: Opened 31st May 2023, Closed 8th June 2023
- RASi Network: Opened 24th February 2023, Closed 3rd March 2023
- Outcomes advised
- January to May 2023
- Funding agreements executed for successful projects –
- RAS Project A: between 15 February 2023 and 1 March 2023
- RAS Project B: between 15 February 2023 and 27 February 2023;
- RAS Project C: between 31st May 2023 and 19th June 2023
- RASi Network: 9 March 2023
Key objectives
The NSW Government provides funding support to the network of 11 Regional Academies of Sport as part of its commitment to supporting young athletes in regional areas and future Olympic hopefuls.
Grant funding provides annual core as well as additional funding for the Regional Academies of Sport (RAS), which are entities providing sport and educational programs and events for talented athletes across NSW. Of the network of the 11 Academies, nine are operated as independent incorporated organisations and two are currently operated by the Office of Sport (South East Sports Academy and the Far West Academy of Sport).
Core funding supports Regional Academies to provide relevant, safe and aligned pathways programs for young athletes across NSW. Service provision encompasses coach development and a range of activities related to sport and education programs for athletes, working collaboratively with State Sporting Organisations, the NSW Institute of Sport and the Office of Sport.
Additional funding enables enhanced service delivery to athletes, coaches and officials in the Talent Pathway looking ahead to national and international events including the Brisbane Olympics. It allows Regional Academies to explore new opportunities and initiatives which enhance opportunities through stakeholder engagement.
Regional Academies are also funded to work directly with the NSW Institute of Sport to support a Talent Program and to undertake a review of each Academy’s program delivery and governance arrangements.
The nine independent Academies are incorporated under the name of Regional Academies of Sport Incorporated (NSW) (RASi) in order to conduct the ‘Academy Games’ a multi-sport event for regional academy athletes, to coordinate network projects, and to coordinate network activities.
Funding availability
The current funding cycle (2022/23-2024/25) includes the following funding availability to the Regional Academy network (including RASi) –
RAS Project A:$7.335M (over 3 years)
RAS Project B: $3.600M (over 3 years)
RAS Project C: $1.400M (2022-23 only)
RASi Network: $0.255M (over 3 years)
Eligible applicants
Central Coast Academy of Sport
Hunter Academy of Sport
Illawarra Academy of Sport
North Coast Academy of Sport
Northern Inland Academy of Sport
Southern Sports Academy
South West Sydney Academy of Sport
Western Region Academy of Sport
Western Sydney Academy of Sport
Far West Academy of Sport
South East Sports Academy
Regional Academies of Sport (NSW) Inc. (RASi)
Ineligible applicants
The Grants under the Regional Academies program is only available for the 11 recognised NSW Regional Academies of Sport and RASi. There is no ability for new organisations to seek recognition or apply for funding
Types of projects
For the current funding cycle (2022/23 – 2024/25), the following project scopes fall within the overall Regional Academy Grant program.
RAS Project A - Core service delivery
Regional Academies of Sport Funding - Delivery of core services to Regional Academy athletes engaged in Sport Pathway activities.
Supporting relevant, safe and aligned pathways programs for young athletes in regional NSW. Service provision encompasses coach development and a range of activities related to sport and education programs for athletes, working collaboratively with State Sporting Organisations, the NSW Institute of Sport and the Office.
RAS Project B - Enhanced services
Regional Academies of Sport Funding – Delivery of enhanced services to support Regional Athletes in the Talent Pathway looking ahead to national and International events including the Brisbane Olympics.
Delivering enhanced services to support Regional Athletes in the Talent Pathway looking ahead to national and international events including the Brisbane Olympics. Exploring opportunities through stakeholder engagement for new initiatives/projects which enhance opportunities for regional athletes, continue working with NSW Institute of Sport with the aim of progressing more regional athletes to NSW Institute of Sport programs and provide pathway and development opportunities for Regional Academy coaches.
RAS Project C - Bound for Brisbane activities.
2022/23 Partnership Program - Regional Academies of Sport – One-Off Supplementary Funding
Support Regional Academies to develop and implement their Bound for Brisbane strategy outcomes including a Talent Program in conjunction with the NSW Institute of Sport. It also involves a review of program delivery and governance arrangements.
RASi Network Funding and Academy Games
Delivery of the Regional Academies of Sport annual ‘Academy Games’ and approved Network Activities and Projects
Annual funding for the Network Activities and Projects is only provided once the Office of Sport reviews and approves the proposed projects submitted for funding by RASi.
Application process
The Grant is administered through Smarty Grants and requires each of the nine independent incorporated organisations to apply under agreed terms and conditions.
The two Academies operated by Office of Sport are funding through a direct allocation.