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WA Sport Development Pathways Grant Program

WA Sport Development Pathways Grant Program

  • Up to $75,000 available in year one
  • Up to $50,000 available in each of years two and three
  • Maximum potential funding of $175,000 over three years
  • Forms part of a $4.5 million Western Australian Government investment over three years
  • Projects delivered between 1 January 2027 and 31 December 2029
  • Applications close 19 October 2026
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The WA Sport Development Pathways Grant Program supports State Sporting Associations to strengthen sporting pathway environments and experiences for athletes, coaches and officials across Western Australia. It is a key initiative under the WA Sport Development Pathways Strategy.

Community participation, development pathways and high performance are the three primary elements of the sporting system. This program targets support at the development pathways element, the often overlooked connection between each end of the sporting continuum.

The program provides financial support for State Sporting Associations to develop their capacity and capability to prioritise long-term development over immediate performance, and to ensure athletes, coaches and officials have the support they need to thrive in a development pathway environment.

The need for sector support in development pathways was identified through broad stakeholder engagement with State Sporting Associations, supported by consultation with the Western Australian Institute of Sport, the Regional Academies of Sport, SportWest, VenuesWest, cross-jurisdictional partners, the Australian Sports Commission and Paralympics Australia.

Key Requirements

Program objectives

  • Support State Sporting Associations to create and implement strategies that facilitate purposeful development pathway practices
  • Enhance developmental environments and experiences that are cohesive, prioritise development and learning over performance, and adopt a long-term approach
  • Enable State Sporting Associations to engage with subject matter experts who elevate staff knowledge and skills, supporting organisational and sector learning

Eligibility prerequisites

  • Applicants must be a CITS-recognised State Sporting Association
  • Applicants must have completed a Pathways Health Check prior to applying
  • Applicants must have developed an action plan to support identified opportunities
  • Proposed projects must align with the association’s Pathways Health Check Action Plan

Process requirements

  • Applicants must contact a CITS staff member to discuss their project before applying
  • CITS will provide a link to the online application form as part of this process
  • Applications are only accepted through the link provided following this discussion

Applicants should review the program guidelines before preparing a submission, as they contain essential information on eligibility and assessment.

What is eligible for funding?

Funding supports projects that strengthen development pathway environments, systems and experiences for athletes, coaches and officials. This includes:

  • Development and implementation of purposeful development pathway strategies
  • Building State Sporting Association capacity and capability
  • Strengthening long-term athlete, coach and official development
  • Engaging subject matter experts and specialist expertise to build staff knowledge and skills
  • Improving organisational and sector learning
  • Adopting evidence-informed development pathway practices

Projects must align with the four strategic priorities of the WA Sport Development Pathways Strategy: holistic system design and development, capability and capacity, leadership and stakeholder engagement, and system alignment

What companies are eligible for funding?

The program is open to State Sporting Associations recognised by the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport.

To be eligible, associations must have completed a Pathways Health Check and developed an action plan to support identified opportunities before applying.

Is this grant competitive or entitlement based?

Competitive. Your application will be assessed among other applications by a judging panel.

How can I increase my chances of winning this grant?

By engaging a professional government grant writer consultant. Avant Group is Australia’s largest independent grants advisory firm. Find out more about our government grant writing and consulting service here. 

How can I get help understanding if I’m eligible for this grant? Or know if I’m likely to win funding?

Avant Group offers a no-obligation assessment of your eligibility for funding and will assess your likelihood of a successful grant application.