Paddle Australia will head into the next Olympic and Paralympic cycle with an added boost, following today’s announcement from the Australian Sports Commission of a positive uplift in high performance funding.

Across the Olympic disciplines of Canoe Slalom and Canoe Sprint together with Para canoe, Paddle Australia’s High-Performance Program will have strong funding support that will help take the high-performance strategy through to the next LA28 “Stabilise and Elevate” horizon.

The ASC announcement will see 95% of Olympic and Paralympic summer sports receiving increased funding with an average investment increase of 64% per year, compared to the period leading up to the Paris Games.

Paddle Australia CEO Kim Crane said: “This uplift in funding is recognition of the work that’s been done over the last couple of cycles, and more recently in the Paris Cycle where our vision to have a united High-Performance Program striving for excellence as “one team” really started to come to life.

“We were on the front foot and started future proofing our high-performance program post the Tokyo Games. Collectively we championed transformational change, with strategic design, all with an eye on two step horizons through until Brisbane 2032.

“Our performances at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games showed our athletes are the world’s best paddlers and people, working together with staff aligned to a strong strategy and they were able to deliver on the world stage. There is confidence in the operating framework that we have built, and the people we’ve got in place to be able to deliver it – Board, Staff, Coaches and most importantly at the heart of it all, our remarkable Athletes.

“We’re proud to receive an increase in funding for both our Olympic and Paralympic Programs and we’re sincerely grateful to the Federal Government’s Australian Sports Commission for their support, as it gives us confidence to seamlessly transition to the next cycle. In the spirit of continuous improvement and excellence it’s time for us to find another level of growth for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” she said.

Minister for Sport, the Hon Anika Wells said: “This is a record funding package for Australian sport, so they can take full advantage of the generational opportunity between now and Brisbane 2032.

“Our record $385 million investment in high performance sport over the next 18 months, which includes a doubling of investment in Para sport, will enable our athletes to win well on the road to Los Angeles while also encouraging more Australians to play sport.

“We are creating more opportunities for more athletes by increasing the number of sports we support from 54 to 68 summer Olympic and Paralympic programs.

“It’s important that our kids and community sporting champions experience the same level of opportunity and I welcome the Play Well funding goal to create a safe, fair and sustainable sport system that grows participation and nurtures tomorrow’s champions.”

Australian Sports Commission CEO Kieren Perkins OAM said: “The remaining eight years until Brisbane 2032 is our chance to unite and inspire Australia through sport.

“The Play Well and Win Well funding announced today lays the foundation to do just that. We will be supporting more Australians to enjoy their sport than ever before, from those in grassroots to our Olympians, Paralympians and Commonwealth Games athletes making us proud on the world stage.

“I would like to thank the Australian Government for their vision and ongoing support to allow all Australians to both play well and win well.”