Australian Team Chef de Mission Steve Moneghetti today announced a new partnership with the AIS, which will see CGA contribute $2million to the DAis funding program to directly assist athletes in their preparations for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
This brings to $11million the total contribution by Commonwealth Games Australia to sports and athletes for Gold Coast 2018 preparation.
Australian Team Chef De Mission Steve Moneghetti – also a member of the ASC Board of Directors – said the partnership demonstrated how Commonwealth Games Australia was working closely with high performance partners, sports and athletes to provide the best preparation possible for the up coming Commonwealth Games.
“This new partnership with the AIS is a great boost to our preparations for Gold Coast 2018,”
Moneghetti said.
“Commonwealth Games Australia is committed to working with high performance partners like the AIS and our partner sports to give athletes the best opportunity possible to perform at their peak in 2018.
Australian Sports Commission (ASC) acting chief executive Matt Favier commended CGA for its leadership and anticipated more than 800 athletes across Commonwealth Games, Olympic, Paralympic disciplines would benefit from the financial support of dAIS next year.
“By investing directly in Australian athletes, the AIS and Commonwealth Games Australia are showing them that they matter to us, we have confidence in their preparations and in their performances,” Favier said.
“It is no secret that we are in a tough, competitive international market against rival nations investing far more in high performance sport. Australia faces a fierce challenge on the Gold Coast in 2018 to try and regain our number one spot in the Commonwealth from England.
“Collaboration is one of the major themes behind our high performance strategy, Australia’s Winning Edge. There is strength in cooperation, whether it is resources, facilities, knowledge or finances.
“The ASC and the AIS looks forward to working with Commonwealth Games Australia and the sporting sector to help deliver a wonderful event on the Gold Coast in 2018 for athletes and the Australian sporting public.”
dAIS is available to athletes in Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games disciplines who have, or demonstrate the potential to, achieve a podium result at a world championship level event. Athletes must meet other eligibility criteria, such as an income-based means test, ensuring grants also go to those who have the greatest need for support.