Australian Sports Commission

"No one backs our Aussie athletes like the Australian Government. As we build towards Brisbane 2032 and beyond, a collaborative approach will continue to deliver many magical moments that will make Australians proud." — Kieren Perkins OAM.

The Australian Government has announced a record $513m funding investment, delivered by the Australian Sports Commission.

This two-year package backs Olympians and Paralympians preparing for LA28, French Alps 2030, and through to Brisbane 2032 by retaining world-class coaches and support staff.

The investment provides:

✅ Funding for 68 sport programs over the next two years.
✅ Landmark $54.9m Para uplift funding maintained.
✅ $42.8 million direct to athletes through dAIS grants.
✅ 33% record boost for winter sports.
✅ $102.8m annual grant funding, free support services, and subsidised access to AIS facilities.

All of us arriving at work tomorrow.

“Kane has shown extraordinary courage in sharing his story so openly and honestly. His experience should be a wake-up call for all of us.”

🗣️ A powerful message from Andrew Purchas OAM (ASC Commissioner, Pride in Sport Co-Founder, and Lifeline Board Services Committee member) on why inclusion in sport is about so much more than just playing the game, it’s about saving lives.

Full statement 👇

Kane has shown extraordinary courage in sharing his story so openly and honestly.

His experience should be a wake-up call for all of us.

While Australia has made significant progress, too many people still face cultural, religious and social barriers to being accepted for who they are. Too many continue to experience discrimination, isolation and shame. The consequences can be devastating.

No one should ever feel that they are alone, that they don’t belong, or that taking their own life is the answer.

We need to normalise conversations about sexuality, identity and mental health, and we need to make it easier for people to ask for help before they reach crisis point.

Sport has a powerful role to play. Whether at the elite or community level, sporting organisations have a responsibility to create environments where people feel safe, respected and supported.

Kane's story is a reminder that inclusion is not just about participation in sport. It is about saving lives.

Pride in Sport - Lifeline

We have joined forces with Commonwealth Games Australia to champion Play Well, Australia’s national sport participation strategy, in the lead-up and at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

For Shirley, volunteering started back in the early 80s and grew into lifelong friendships and a love for the club culture.

For Di, it began with helping a friend one Saturday afternoon, and now more than 20 years later, she’s still there, because of the people and the friendships she built along the way.

And for Graham and Lynn Stanford, well they have volunteered for more than 30 years, staying involved long after their kids finished playing because they love being part of the local community and giving today’s juniors a great club experience.

Together, the Norths Ladies Committee has become part of the fabric of the Norths Tigers Juniors Rugby League community. From running the canteen to supporting families and helping game days run smoothly, they’re always there when needed.

Norths Tigers Ipswich Secretary Kym Brandon says the club wouldn’t be the same without them.

“The Ladies Committee are an institution at Norths and home games wouldn’t be the same without them. They also give back to the juniors by donating part of their takings each year to pay for junior player photos, which we appreciate more than words can say.”

This National Volunteer Week, their story is a reminder of the people behind community sport who make participation possible, and the difference they make far beyond the field.

We are celebrating volunteers across the country through the Volunteer Map --> link in the comments!

“The people! Serving community is always a privilege for me.”

For Tammy Kingi, volunteering in sport is less about roles and titles, and more about impact that lasts well beyond a season.

Tammy is a Team Leader at Le Mana Pasifika and has built a deep connection to sport and community across netball, rugby league and cultural development. Her work spans coaching, leadership and mentoring across multiple groups, including the Niue Netball Melbourne national squad.

She also plays an important role in Niue Rugby League, supporting youth development pathways and contributing as a cultural advisor, helping ensure Pasifika identity and connection stay at the centre of the game.

Closer to home, Tammy coaches an Under 9 netball team at Truganina Thunder, where she is helping introduce young players to the game for the first time, while also sharing the experience with her own daughter.

That group, she says, started as nine strangers.

“I currently coach the u9’s Truganina Thunder netball team and they are all new to the sport, new to sports in general and were a group of nine strangers who came together to play as a team.”

What’s stayed with her most isn’t just how the team has developed on court, but what’s happened off it.

“Parents have been commenting that they have seen their children grow in confidence, in discipline and in teamwork consideration.
One girl hardly ever spoke a word and is now calling for the ball… This is an absolute win for me, creating champions on and off the court !!!”

For Tammy, those moments sit at the centre of why she keeps volunteering.

“Volunteering in sport is one way you can create significant impact and although you may not necessarily see the fruit in your season of service, you can know that you had a small part to play in the next for any one person and even their families.”

That idea of connection runs through everything she does, especially within the Pasifika community in Narrm, where sport often becomes something bigger than sport itself.

“Sports brings people and communities together… more than a sport, building great leaders is too very important.”

When asked what she hopes athletes remember about her, her answer is simple.

“That they felt valued and seen for their talents, that I helped them to find the champion within themselves and that they would want me to coach them another season.”

And when she reflects on volunteering overall, she doesn’t hesitate:
“Volunteering in sport has given me… JOY!”

Tammy's story is a reminder of the people behind community sport who make participation possible, and the difference they make far beyond the court.

We are celebrating volunteers across the country through the Volunteer Map, where Australians can recognise the people making a difference in their communities.

📸 Centre for Multicultural Sport

As we celebrate National Volunteer Week, it's encouraging to see growing momentum across the sector as sporting organisations prioritise the recognition and support of volunteers.

At the Australian Sports Commission, we are actively supporting this through the development of a new digital platform: the National Sport Volunteer Passport.

Currently in the works, this platform is designed to ease the administrative burden of onboarding volunteers in a safe and efficient online environment. By connecting local sporting organisations with interested individuals based on their specific skillsets and availability, it will work across sports to make volunteering more accessible.

Ultimately, the goal is simple: to create a platform that helps more people experience the physical, mental, and social benefits of being involved in community sport.