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The Australian Sports Foundation (ASF) has this week marked its 30th anniversary, announcing that 12 sports greats have agreed to support its fundraising initiatives as ‘Champions’.

The 12 Australian sports legends, who now have direct experience of grassroots sport via their own children, have personally witnessed the fundraising challenges that junior sport faces.

Now these ‘Champions’ - Laurie Daley (rugby league), Paul Roos (AFL), Robbie Slater (football), Ian Healy (cricket), Stirling Mortlock (rugby union), Nicole Livingstone (swimming), Rechelle Hawkes (hockey), Steve Moneghetti (athletics), Mark Skaife (motor sport), Carissa Tombs (netball), Andrew Gaze (basketball) and Brendan Burkett (paralympic sports) – will back the ASF’s work.

ASF Chief Executive, Patrick Walker explained “these ‘Champions’ have enthusiastically embraced our programs and we thank them for their support.

“Each of these sportsmen and women have reached the pinnacle in their chosen sport and understand the pathway to the top requires on-going financial support via donations.”

Robbie Slater said the G4G program has provided opportunities for more than 20,000 kids and adults to access sport since the grants program commenced 18 months ago.

He explained “a key focus of the Foundation’s team of ‘Champions’ will be helping grow the philanthropic funding for G4G over the next 12 months to enable us to help more Australians access sport at the grassroots level, particularly kids.”

Since it was established by the Australian Government in 1986 to assist with the development of sport at all levels through tax deductible fundraising, the Foundation has raised $270 million for grassroots, junior, district and senior elite sports projects across the country and is aiming exceed to $300 million in donations by 30th June 2016.

The ASF operates two key programs to support sport in Australia.

Fundraising4Sport (F4S) is a funding program for projects such as playing equipment, capital works programs or competition travel, while Giving4GrassrootsTM (G4G) issues grants of up to $10,000 for small not-for-profit sports clubs and organisations.

Federal Minister for Sport Sussan Ley congratulated the Foundation on its success and the important role it plays helping sport at many levels and developing a healthier nation, stating “more and more sports organisations are seeing the advantages of tax deductible fundraising in partnership with the Foundation.

“I encourage more Australians, particularly philanthropists and those with a capacity to contribute, to give generously to sports programs where they have special interest.”

Walker said the Foundation was on target to break through the $500 million fundraising barrier for sport by 2020, adding “the Foundation is going through a period of unprecedented growth which will help boys and girls, men and women of all ages enjoy the health, social and community benefits that sport provides.

“Australians donated a record $24.3 million to sport via the Foundation last financial year and donations are up 50% on this time last year. We currently have over 1000 individual fundraising projects across 60 sports, and 20-30 new sporting clubs and community organisations are registering F4S projects with us each month.

“We want to help sports fundraise by providing both the platform for them to do it and the education, insights and resources to support them, such as our recently released Grassroots Fundraising Snapshot and Grassroots Fundraising Toolkit.

“Our vision is to increase funding to sport to $100 million per annum which will create access and opportunities for millions of Australians that participate in sport at social and competitive levels, and for those who struggle to cope with the costs associated with participation,” he added.

The ASF is listed in the Income Tax Assessment Act as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) and is the only body in Australian where donations of $2 or more to sports projects are tax deductible.

Ways in which sport and recreation clubs, associations and organisations can maximise fundraising opportunities with the ASF was a feature in the July/August 2015 issue of Australasian Leisure Management. 

For fundraising opportunities or to support grassroots sporting communities call the ASF on 02 6214 7868.or go to www.asf.org.au

20th July 2015 - AUSTRALIANS DONATE A RECORD $24 MILLION TO SPORT AND RECREATION PROJECTS

5th May 2015 - AUSTRALIAN SPORTS FOUNDATION LOOKS FOR DONATIONS BOOST

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