Australian Government’s major investment propels Softball Australia towards LA2028

Softball Australia has secured funding from the Australian Government’s $385m Win Well and Play Well investment ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

The funding ensures Australians have world class pathways and support at all levels of sport, from participation to high performance.

The Win Well program expands support to 68 Summer Olympic and Paralympic programs, and doubles para-sport investment. Play Well funding emphasies safe, inclusive, and welcoming participation spaces, dedicating funding to grassroots development and extending the Australian Sports Commission funding support to more sports than ever before.

Softball Australia CEO Sarah Loh said the investment helps build momentum as junior participation rates in the sport continue to rapidly climb.

“This funding provides critical assistance to our athletes, helping them achieve their goals leading into LA2028, while working towards having our next generation represented at the Brisbane Olympics in 2032,” Loh said.

“We thank the Australian Government, Sports Minister Anika Wells and the Australian Sports Commission for this important funding along with their continued support and belief in softball.”

Minister for Sport, the Honourable Anika Wells, spoke of the opportunities this funding will provide  for Australian athletes.

“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,” Minister Wells said.

Australian Sports Commission CEO Kieran Perkins OAM said the funding will lay the groundwork for Australians to be united and inspired through sport.

“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,” Perkins said.

This funding lays the crucial groundwork for inspiring participation and excellence in softball across Australia, as the nation looks forward to representing itself on the global stage.

Read the full announcement from the Australian Sports Commission HERE