Football Australia proudly welcomes the Australian Sports Commission's (ASC) announcement of a historic $385 million investment package, supporting high-performance and participation initiatives through the "Win Well" and "Play Well" funding streams.
This funding highlights the critical role sport plays in Australian communities and strengthens pathways from grassroots participation to elite success.
Football Australia is pleased to be allocated $6,319,500 over the next 18 months (1 Jan 2025 to 30 June 2026):
- Win Well funding: $5,379,000
- Play Well funding: $940,500
This represents a 25% increase in high-performance funding compared to the previous cycle, reaffirming football's position as Australia's most popular team sport and its growing influence on and off the pitch.
This investment will bolster Football Australia's efforts to grow the game at every level. The Win Well funding will support high-performance programs, preparing the Subway Socceroos, CommBank Matildas, CommBank ParaMatildas, CommBank Pararoos and Youth National Teams for success on the global stage. It also strengthens talent pathways, coaching, and sports science and sports medicine initiatives.
The Play Well funding focuses on grassroots development, promoting inclusive participation, and creating safe, welcoming environments for players, coaches, and volunteers across the country. Football is the largest participation sport in Australia and on the back of the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023™, football has also experienced significant growth in Women and Girls participation.
Football Australia CEO, James Johnson, praised the Australian Government's commitment to sport and highlighted its impact on football: "This record investment from the Australian Government is a testament to the power of sport to inspire and connect our communities.
"The increased funding through the Win Well program will enhance our ability to compete on the global stage, while the Play Well program enables us to bring the joy of football to more Australians, ensuring inclusive, safe, and welcoming environments for all.
"I would like to sincerely thank the Federal Minister for Sport, the Hon Anika Wells, and the Australian Government for their unwavering support and belief in the future of Australian football. This funding will empower us to build on the incredible momentum of our game, uniting Australians through football and preparing our athletes for success on the road to Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032," Johnson concluded.
Football Australia remains committed to delivering excellence in sport and expanding opportunities for all Australians to engage with the world's most popular game.
