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The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) has welcomed the additional $12.6 million in Commonwealth Government funding for high performance sport in 2009/10 as announced by Minister for Sport, Kate Ellis.

The ASC sees the funding as being critical in the lead up to the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games, the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the 2012 London Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Included within the $12.6 million funding is $8.1 million for currently funded national sporting organisations to further support their work developing Australiaâs elite athletes.

The balance of the funding ($4.5 million) is for Australian Government Sport Training Grants which provide funds directly to targeted elite athletes, selected on the basis of medal potential, to assist with their preparations for international competition.

The funding commitment is being provided pending the outcome of the Government's independent review of sport being undertaken by a panel chaired by David Crawford.

ASC acting Chief Executive Brent Espeland applauded the additional investment in high performance sport, stating "this additional $12.6 million from the Commonwealth Government provides high performance sport in Australia with enhanced security and certainty to plan for the 2009/10 financial year. This will ensure that national sporting organisations can continue to retain top coaches, plan their athletes' domestic and international competitions and stay on course as we turn our sights to coming major sporting events."

The additional funding measure backs the comments made by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Sport Minister Ellis during and after the Beijing Games that the Commonwealth Government would continue to invest in high performance sport to ensure Australia remains internationally competitive.

Image: Kate Ellis.

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