The $150 million Centre of Excellence Fund is a two-year program that aims to improve talent pathways for sporting, education and government organisations by providing funding towards the development of integrated high-performance sporting and community facilities.
Projects to receive funding in Round One include:
· Disability Sports Centre of Excellence
· Trampoline Centre of Excellence for aerial Olympic sports, including skiing, skateboarding and trampolining
· Upgrades to GWS Giants Centre of Excellence
· NSW Cricket Centre
· Sydney Swans HQ and Community Centre
· Sydney FC Sky Park Centre of Excellence
Minister for Tourism and Sport Stuart Ayres said the Centre of Excellence Fund was making NSW the nation’s sporting centre of excellence.
“NSW is already the nation's major sporting events capital and through this program, we will make this State the nation’s centre of excellence for talent development and identification,” Mr Ayres said.
“The six projects that have been successful in securing funding will be focal points for the development of the next generation of stars across Olympic, Paralympic and professional sports.
“Each new and upgraded centre raises the bar for high performance training facilities and will assist in developing our next generation of sporting stars.
Murray Elbourn, CEO of Disability Sports Australia said: “This Disability Sports Centre of Excellence will assist the seven Paralympic sports of Badminton, Boccia, Fencing, Goalball, Judo, Taekwondo and Volleyball to grow participation through to pathway programs in preparation for the 2032 Paralympic Games working with Blacktown City Council, Western Sydney Health District and Australian Catholic University”.
Each centre of excellence will include dedicated female programs and facilities to improve pathways for females as well as multi-purpose community facilities, enabling the expansion of community programs and community engagement.
Grants of $5 million - $15 million were available during Round One of the Fund with applicants required to provide a co-contribution towards the project.
The Centre of Excellence Fund is a key initiative of the NSW Government’s State-wide sports infrastructure program.
“These projects will create thousands of construction jobs, providing another boost to the construction industry as the economy bounces back from the impacts of COVID-19,” Mr Ayres said.
Round Two of the Centre of Excellence is expected to open in mid-2022. For further information on the Fund visit: Centre of Excellence Fund | NSW Government