VenuesWest are set to transform their support of high performance sport through their new strategy launched today at Bendat Basketball Centre.
The forward-thinking High Performance Sport Strategy looks to expand the number of targeted sports that VenuesWest supports, offering complete transparency around the selection process and benefits delivered.
VenuesWest owns 13 of WA's premier sport and entertainment venues on behalf of the State Government and directly supports Western Australia's high performance athletes as they strive to compete on the world stage.
In 2020-21, VenuesWest's support and benefits allowed for 71,765 hours of high performance training and competition to take place at its venues. This means that WA athletes have the opportunity to train and compete in world class facilities with the full support of their family and friends and enjoy the benefits that a 'home ground' delivers.
Supporting sports today that will get tomorrow's kids off the couch is an important reason for a forward looking strategy.
The new Strategy will also increase the span of support for sports across the spectrum i.e. sports that have high market share and are commercially successful through to those who do not have a strong participation stronghold and require significant subsidy to train and/or compete.
Sporting organisations will soon be called to nominate their interest in the VenuesWest targeted sport program, with successful targeted sports to be inducted in July 2022.
Proposed benefits include subsidy on venue hire and lease arrangements, priority venue and facilities access, and prioritised capital investment in training and competition facilities.
The Strategy follows an extensive stakeholder consultation piece which commenced in late 2020 and engaged over 60 stakeholders, with feedback from key players such as the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, Western Australian Institute of Sport and SportWest.
As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister Tony Buti:
"This is an exciting and innovative period for sport in Western Australia with emerging sports such as skateboarding and sport climbing stepping into the spotlight.
"With Brisbane 2032 on the horizon we need to think outside-of-the-box and expand our support to non-traditional sports that are exciting for spectators and athletes alike.
"We need to consider how we support sports that will get tomorrow's kids off the couch. Evolving our high performance sport support is one way to improve that.
"The VenuesWest High Performance Sport Strategy will not only consider emerging sports but will also balance the support on offer.
"VenuesWest are leaders in championing the dreams of high performance athletes, and the Strategy will be a fundamental roadmap for an exciting future for sport in Western Australia."
