The Local Sporting Champions program provides financial assistance for coaches, officials and competitors aged 12-18 participating in state, national or international championships.

If successful, applicants will receive $500-$750 towards the cost of attending their championships

• Base Grant: $500
• Applicants travelling 800km - 1999km to their nominated championships: + $100
• Applicants travelling internationally or greater than 2000km to their nominated championships: + $200
• Applicants residing in a rural electorate: + $50

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must meet the following criteria

• Be turning 12 to 18 years of age in the same calendar year as the nominated championships.
• Be an Australian citizen or have been granted permanent resident status, residing in Australia.
• Be participating as an athlete, coach, or match official in:
  • an official state championships endorsed by the relevant Australian Sports Commission (ASC) recognised national sporting organisation (NSO), national sporting organisation for people with disability (NSOD) or a School Sport Australia member body; or
  • an official national championships endorsed by the relevant ASC recognised NSO, NSOD or School Sport Australia; or
  • an international competition as a member of an official Australian team, representing an ASC recognised NSO, NSOD or School Sport Australia.

• Those attending a state championships must be living more than 125km from the championships venue, and travelling greater than 250km return to participate in the nominated championships*.
• May receive a maximum of two grants in the same allocation year (1 June 2023 – 30 April 2024) for attending either:
  • one state or national championships and one international competition; or
  • two different international competitions.
• Must incur out-of-pocket expenses equal to, or greater than, the grant amount they are eligible to receive.
• Must not receive a Local Para Champions grant or a Local Sporting Champions grant in a previous round to attend the same event or competition.
• Applications must be submitted within timeframes indicated in the 'When can I apply?' section of the guidelines.

• Phone: (02) 6214 1462
• Email: sportingchampions@ausport.gov.au