NSW Labor has announced a commitment to increase funding to Sports NSW and its associated 100 sporting organisations, and to promote female sporting leaders and coaches.

A November 2022 report from Sport NSW found community sporting organisations are still receiving the same level of funding today as they were when Sydney staged the Olympics in 2000. After taking inflation into account, this is a reduction in real terms of 67.1 per cent.

If elected, Labor will step up the Organisation Support Program funding to $5 million in 2023-24 and $10 million per year in the years after as a part of multi-year agreements.

The Organisation Support Program assists peak sporting bodies and identified organisations to build capacity, invest in governance processes and create and deliver sport and recreation activities as well as competitions at all levels in NSW.

John Dawson, Secretary of the Kiama District Sports Association, welcomes the announcement, saying, “Strong local sporting clubs are integral to communities across our region.  

“Here in Kiama we have over 5,000 players involved in community sports throughout the year with 24 local clubs.

“Any additional funding for community sport is always welcomed and would be put to good use replacing aging facilities, purchasing new equipment and assisting in the running of the various clubs and associations."

The Labor candidate for Kiama, Katilin McInerney (above with Labor leader Chris Minns), says, “Community sport is the lifeblood of our community - but for too long it has been neglected by the NSW Liberal National Government.

“This funding will not only help local clubs thrive, but it will also help amplify women’s sport in NSW.”

The Chair of Sport NSW, Chris Hall, says, “The smallest payments to sports at the moment are just $5,000 a year or $100 a week which doesn’t buy very much anymore.

“Some smaller sports are volunteer run. This increase could be used to put on an employee for the first time to really increase the capacity for governance, more and improved programs and competitions, and really target an increase in female participation."

As yet, only Labor and The Greens have announced their candidates for the 25 March election State Election.