Sports Sponsorship

Are you a young person with a sporting dream? You and your family may find it can be quite difficult to meet the ongoing and often hefty costs required to participate in sporting comps, especially if you’re from a regional area.

Thankfully, an Australian Government initiative called the Local Sporting Champions provides financial help to young people aged 12-18. The financial assistance goes towards the cost of travel, accommodation, uniforms or equipment when competing, coaching, or officiating at an official National Sporting Organisation (NSO)-endorsed state, national or international sporting championship, or a School Sport Australia state or national championship. 

Whew, now that that’s out, how do you apply? Simple - head straight to the Local Sporting Champions Program - Individual Application.

Who’s eligible?

As a young person, to be eligible to apply for a Local Sporting Champions grant, you must:

• Be turning 12 to 18 years of age in the same calendar year as the nominated sporting championship.
• Be an Australian citizen or have been granted permanent resident status, residing in Australia.
• Be participating as an athlete, coach, umpire or referee in:
  • an official state championships endorsed by the relevant Australian Sports Commission (ASC) recognised national sporting organisation (NSO), or 
  • an official state school sport championship endorsed by a School Sport Australia member body, or 
  • an official national championships endorsed by the relevant ASC recognised NSO, or
  • a national school sport championships endorsed by School Sport Australia
  • an international competition as a member of an official Australian team, endorsed by an ASC recognised NSO or School Sport Australia.
• Be living more than 125km from the championship venue, and travelling greater than 250km return to participate in the nominated championship.
• Complete and submit application to the ASC prior to the nominated championship commencing.
• Not have received a Local Sporting Champions grant for an application submitted in the same allocation year (1 March - 29 February).
• Not have received $500 or more in federal government funding for the nominated championship.
• Not be participating in a professional competition that involves prize money greater than $500.  

It’s also handy to note that saved applications must be completed and submitted prior to the championship.

Useful Resources

School Sport Australia calendar of eligible events

List of Recognised National Sporting Organisations

Australian Electoral Commission

Australian Sports Commission