Brisbane City Council has announced a new grants program to help young sport stars to prepare to represent their county at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Brisbane Towards 32 program will provide grants of up to $10,000 to a minimum of 18 high-performance Brisbane athletes to cover the rising costs of training, competition, equipment, coaching and travel.
An initial $100,000 grant from the Council will be matched by corporate donations, creating a pooled funding model in partnership with the Aussie Athlete Fund.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games were a chance to invest in “homegrown” sporting talent.
“The Brisbane Towards 32 program will take pressure off talented local athletes so they can focus on training hard, competing at the highest level and chasing their dreams,” he said.
Australian Sports Foundation research shows almost half of Australia’s top athletes earn below the poverty line.
The Aussie Athlete Fund was founded by five-time Olympian and gold medalist Natalie Cook to keep talented athletes in elite sport by addressing these financial barriers.
“We are incredibly grateful to Brisbane City Council and the Lord Mayor for their generous contribution to the Aussie Athlete Fund, delivered through our Brisbane Towards 32 program,” Ms Cook said.
“This support helps keep the dream of wearing the green and gold alive, easing the everyday costs of training, travel and competition so our athletes can focus on representing Australia and Brisbane with pride.”
Committee for Brisbane CEO Jen Williams said it was important to keep athletes “centre stage” in the lead-up to the 2032 Games.
“With the opportunity to compete at a home Games now squarely on the horizon, it is more important than ever to support our local athletes to focus on the goal ahead,” she said.
Athletes from all sports are eligible to apply, with a focus on preparing young sporting stars to represent Australia at future Olympic and Paralympic Games.
For more information go to aussieathletefund.com.
