CFPs: WA Sport Development Pathways Grant Program (Australia)

Deadline: 19-Oct-2026

The WA Sport Development Pathways Grant Program supports eligible Western Australian State Sporting Associations to improve development pathways and sporting experiences for athletes, coaches, and officials. Funding can cover up to 50% of eligible technology or equipment costs, with a maximum contribution of $5,000—approximately USD 3,200—per grant year.

About the WA Sport Development Pathways Grant Program

The program forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen connections between: - Community sport participation. - Athlete development. - Coach development. - Official development. - Talent pathways. - High-performance sport. It helps State Sporting Associations, commonly known as SSAs, create better environments for people to learn, develop, remain involved, and progress through the Western Australian sporting system. Purpose of the Program

The program aims to:

- Strengthen sport-development pathways. - Improve participant retention. - Support long-term athlete development. - Build coach and official capability. - Improve developmental environments. - Encourage purposeful pathway planning. - Increase access to specialist expertise. - Strengthen organizational capacity. - Improve alignment between state and national systems. - Share knowledge across the sporting sector. - Create better sporting experiences. Who the Program Supports The program is designed to improve outcomes for: - Athletes. - Coaches. - Officials. - Development-pathway staff. - State Sporting Associations. - Other stakeholders within eligible sporting pathways. Funded initiatives should benefit the wider development system rather than serving only a small number of individuals without broader strategic value. Strategic Priorities Applications should align with one or more of four strategic priorities: - Holistic system design and development. - Capability and capacity building. - Leadership and stakeholder engagement. - System alignment. Applicants should explain how the proposed investment contributes to the selected priority. Holistic System Design and Development Holistic system design considers the complete pathway through which athletes, coaches, and officials enter, develop, progress, and remain involved in sport.

This may involve:

- Mapping existing pathways. - Identifying gaps or duplication. - Clarifying progression stages. - Improving transitions between participation levels. - Supporting long-term development. - Considering physical, psychological, technical, and social needs. - Creating inclusive progression opportunities. - Connecting community and high-performance environments. Applications should show how the proposed technology or equipment fits within the wider pathway. Capability and Capacity Building Capability building develops the knowledge, skills, and confidence of people working within the sporting system. Capacity building strengthens the systems, tools, and resources available to an organization.

Relevant activities may include:

- Staff development. - Coach education. - Official education. - Technical-skills development. - Use of performance information. - Digital learning. - Data-management capability. - Specialist training. - Organizational-development systems. - Knowledge-sharing. The proposed initiative should create benefits that extend beyond a one-time purchase. Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement Strong development pathways require clear leadership and collaboration.

Relevant stakeholders may include:

- State Sporting Associations. - National sporting organizations. - Local clubs. - Coaches. - Officials. - Athletes. - High-performance programs. - Regional sport networks. - Technical specialists. - Community partners. Applicants should explain how stakeholders will participate in planning, implementation, and learning. System Alignment System alignment means ensuring that state-level activities complement national frameworks and local delivery.

Projects may help:

- Clarify pathway responsibilities. - Align development standards. - Improve information sharing. - Reduce duplication. - Create consistent development practices. - Support smoother participant transitions. - Connect community participation with higher-performance opportunities. - Strengthen collaboration between organizations. Applicants should identify which existing strategies, frameworks, or pathway models support the proposal. Program Objectives The main objectives are to help eligible SSAs: - Implement purposeful development-pathway practices. - Improve environments that prioritize learning. - Support long-term growth rather than short-term results alone. - Retain athletes, coaches, and officials. - Create clearer progression opportunities. - Engage subject-matter experts. - Increase staff knowledge. - Share learning across the sporting sector. - Improve the quality of developmental experiences. Funding Information

Funding conditions include:

- Maximum contribution: $5,000 per grant year.

- Approximate equivalent: USD 3,200.

- Maximum funding rate: 50% of an eligible item’s cost.

- Applicant contribution: At least the remaining 50% of the cost.

The grant does not cover the full cost of eligible technology or equipment. Understanding the 50% Funding Limit The program can contribute up to half of an eligible item’s cost.

For example:

- If an eligible item costs $6,000, the program may contribute up to $3,000. - The applicant must fund the remaining $3,000.

If an eligible item costs $12,000:

- The program contribution is capped at $5,000. - The applicant must provide the remaining $7,000. Applicants should confirm whether their contribution must be cash and whether other funding sources are permitted. Eligible Technology and Equipment Funding may support technology or equipment that improves learning and development for athletes, coaches, or officials. Depending on the official guidelines, examples may include: - Performance-analysis tools. - Video-recording equipment. - Coaching technology. - Offic