Please see our list of Frequently asked questions to assist with any further questions you may have regarding the Local Sporting Champions grant.
The following championships are eligible as per the eligibility criteria:
Click on the below links to check out ASC recognised NSOs, NSODs and the School Sport Australia calendar of eligible events.
Applications for participation in the following are ineligible:
For international competitions, an official Australian team is a team that is representing an ASC recognised national sporting organisation (NSO) or School Sport Australia.
Although an NSO or School Sport Australia may support a club or state team attending an international competition and representing Australia, a club or state team is not classified as the ‘official’ Australian team for the purposes of the Local Sporting Champions program.
Examples of eligible teams:
Examples of ineligible teams:
No. We are unable to provide an exemption for any applicant that is not turning 12 to 18 years of age in the same calendar year as the nominated championships.
Note: You can apply if you are 11 years of age at the time of applying, but will be turning 12 during the same calendar year (1 January – 31 December) as the nominated championships.
The Local Sporting Champions (LSC) program is designed to support sportspeople through the teenage years when research shows that the largest dropout rates occur. It is for this reason that the LSC program aims to provide financial assistance for sportspeople around this time, to ease the financial burden on their families, which will hopefully lead to lower dropout rates.
The lower age limit has been set at 12 years as it is around this age when ASC research shows that junior athletes start to take sport more seriously and begin competing at the level of competition that is supported by the LSC program. The upper limit of 18 years has been set as at this age the sportspeople are adults, even if in their particular sport they may still be able to compete through the junior or youth pathways.
Yes, if you have attended the championships you are able to submit an application.
Applications for competitions held during the eligible competition dates can be submitted at any time during the round. Applications do not need to be submitted within one month of the competition finishing, they can be submitted at any time the round is open.
Check out the Third Party Funding opportunities to see if you may be eligible for another grant program.
Yes, you can still apply for a grant if the championships occur before your application is assessed or you are advised of the outcome of your application.
In these cases, if you are successful, the grant will be provided as a reimbursement for costs incurred by attending the championships.
No. The Local Sporting Champions program is currently oversubscribed with a large number of applications received each year. All applications undergo a competitive assessment process, and as a result, the grant cannot be guaranteed.
Your Application ID number can be found in the subject line of the email the ASC sent when you submitted your application.
Remember to check your junk email folder if you cannot find this email.
If successful, you can use the grant on any associated cost for you to attend the nominated championships.
Examples of expenses include (but is not limited to):
If your circumstances change and you are no longer able to attend the nominated championships, contact us at sportingchampions@ausport.gov.au
Applications are assessed within each local area. If a team member is successful in receiving a grant , and you are not, it is likely that your area had more applicants attending International events or travelling greater distances. Each area has different levels of competition each round and some applicants for the same competition may be successful in some areas while in others they may be unsuccessful.
An applicant may receive a maximum of one grant from an application submitted in the same allocation year (3 June 2024 – 30 April 2025).
If you have received a grant this allocation year, you will be eligible to apply for another grant at the start of the next allocation year.
To check if you have received a LSC grant this allocation year:
If you have already submitted an application that was successful in the same allocation year you will not be eligible for another grant until the next allocation year starts.
An ‘Allocation Year’ is the term used for one full yearly cycle of the Local Sporting Champions program.
Note: The program is not administered over a calendar year or financial year.
No. To be eligible for a Local Sporting Champions grant if you are an athlete, coach or official, you need to be between 12-18 years of age.
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