Funding locked in for Bowls, Netball and Squash ahead of Victoria 2026
The Australian Government and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) have committed more than US$17 million to bowls, netball and squash, giving these Commonwealth Games sports a strong platform for success as Victoria 2026 fast approaches.
CEO of Commonwealth Games Australia Craig Phillips AM said the confirmation of the funding ensures those select sports can focus on their preparations for home games in just over three years.
He also advocated the need for bold investment across all sports in the Victoria 2026 program to ensure the green and gold remain at the top of the medal list after their success at Birmingham 2022.
“Victoria 2026 is a key milestone in Australia’s High Performance 2032+ sport strategy and we welcome this generous funding commitment from the Australian Government and the Australian Sport Commission for netball, squash and bowls,” Phillips said.
“For all sports, certainty of funding is what ensures proper planning and execution before competing on the world stage. We hope this bold early investment continues across all sports in the Victoria 2026 programme.”
“It took the combined efforts of 19 sports to surpass the medal tally in Birmingham. All of our member sports will need reasonable investments.”
Bowls is the big winner, receiving a 59 percent increase in funding to $5.6 million. This ensures that it can support both para- and able-bodied high-performance programs.
Netball and the Australian Diamond, who have competed in every Commonwealth Games gold medal game, will receive $9.4 million in funding, while squash will receive $2.36 million.
CEO of the Australian Sporting Commission (ASC). Kieren Perkins OAM said the AIS is committed to working on behalf of the sport to provide longer-term funding.
“We thank the Australian Government for their belief and trust in us and Australia’s high-performance sport system to deliver meaningful results for our country,” Perkins said.
“There is no doubt that such funding is crucial in helping Australian sport to achieve more medal winnings, but these sporting victories are also big winners for our nation at large, benefiting areas such as our economy and our physical and mental health. “
“Australia’s High Performance 2032+ Sport Strategy outlines our collective plan to build sustainable success in Australian sport. Victoria 2026 is a huge milestone in our journey across this green and gold decade to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond.”
Federal Minister for Sport Anika Wells said this funding would help promote sport equality during the Green and Golden Decades and create lasting benefits for athletes and fans.
“The Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games will bring high-performance sport directly to regional Australia. Looking at aspects of these games such as the full integration of parasports it is a wonderful event to inspire and connect all Australians with the sport. The Australian Government is proud to support our Australian athletes and sports to represent our nationality and do their best,” Minister Wells said.
“It was incredible to see our Australian athletes compete so brilliantly and topped the medal list at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, but it’s even more exciting to think that Australians are experiencing all that excitement first-hand and on home soil at Victoria 2026 become.”
Australia was represented at the 2022 Commonwealth Games by 429 athletes, with the team topping the medal list with 67 gold, 57 silver and 54 bronze medals.
The Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games will be held from 17th to 29th March 2026 in five regional centers – Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Gippsland and Shepparton – and will feature 22 sports.
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