Regional sport gets $3m boost

The state government has committed further funding for its regional athletic development program, with the biggest grant given to the South West Academy of Sport.

The Regional Athletic Support Program was set up in 2017 to assist athletes with expenses associated with training camps and regional, state and national competitions.

Today, the state government said it would invest a further $3 million into the program’s Regional Talent Development Network (RTDN) and Regional Athlete Travel Subsidy Scheme over a three-year period.

It follows a $3 million contribution from the state government between 2017 and 2020.

The RTDN comprises nine regional academies and sport talent networks across Western Australia.

Of those, the South West Academy of Sport has been allocated $235,000 in funding, with the second-biggest grant ($200,000) provided to the Midwest Academy of Sport.

Sport minister Tony Buti said the state government was committed to increasing opportunities for regional athletes.

"Through funding programs such as this, we are giving regional athletes, coaches and officials access to top-quality training and development,” he said in a statement.

"The 2021 grants have been distributed to nine RTDN academies, programs and networks, and I'm really excited to see the sporting talent coming out of these regions."