Grants up to $15 million to support the development of elite performance level multi-purpose sporting facilities that improve talent pathways and community engagement within NSW.
Current status of program
CLOSED
To register your interest in future rounds or discuss alternative grant opportunities please contact us here.
On this page you will find
- An overview of the Centre of Excellence Fund (COEF)
- Every detail you will need to know
- Resources and help to get the grant
What is the Centre of Excellence Fund?
The Centre of Excellence Fund (CEF) aims to improve sports talent pathways and community engagement for all sporting codes through the development of integrated high-performance training, administration and community facilities.
The fund focuses on infrastructure and will assist eligible organisations to develop multi-purpose facilities that assist talent identification and development opportunities and bridge the gap between elite sport and the general community, while expanding community programs and outcomes.
The funding outcome is the establishment of world-leading high-performance sporting infrastructure across NSW that provide athletes and community groups with the best opportunity for success.
COEF level of support
Grant
- $5 million to $15 million
- Maximum 50% of total project costs
Co-contribution
- Minimum 50% of total project costs
COEF important dates
- This program is currently closed
- Register your interest here with GrantHelper
COEF important details that you will need to know
COEF objectives and outcomes
The primary objectives of the fund are to:
- provide elite performance sport infrastructure
- support talent identification and development pathways (i.e., athletes moving from pre-elite to elite)
- support the enhancement of dedicated female programs and facilities to improve pathways for women and girls, in line with the Her Sport Her Way strategy
- support Olympic and Paralympic sports
- improve the level of community engagement
Secondary objectives of the fund are to:
- create multi-purpose and multi-use facility components
- create inclusive facilities that meet the needs of females, people with disability, First Nations peoples and people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities
- establish a diversified funding model
- improve operational sustainability
- promote and incorporate environmental sustainability and climate resiliency into design, construction and operation
- promote innovation in sports science, sports medicine and technology
- promote partnerships that maximise outcomes
Organisations eligible for COEF support
Eligible applicants are:
- NSW Office of Sport recognised State Sporting Organisations (including National Sporting Organisations where the state body is part of a unitary governance model)
- National Sporting Organisations
- NSW Institute of Sport, Australian Sports Commission (incorporating the Australian Institute of Sport) and NSW Regional Academies of Sport
- Australian Universities with NSW campuses
- NSW Department of Education operated specialist sports high schools
- NSW based professional sporting organisations competing in a national or state competition
- NSW based sporting clubs and associations, with the approval of their state or national body
- NSW Local Government Authorities, the Unincorporated Far West Region and the Lord Howe Island Board
- Private enterprises (for-profit organisations)
Applicants are encouraged to engage with all levels of government, other State and National Sporting Organisations, NSW based professional sporting organisations, and relevant peak sporting bodies in the development of their project. The applicant will be the grant recipient and responsible for project delivery.
Applicants can submit up to three applications, with each requesting up to a maximum of $15 million for this round. It is up to the applicant if they would like to advise project priorities.
Ineligible applicants include:
- Individuals
- Schools (other than NSW Department of Education operated specialist sports high schools) and TAFEs
- Parent and Citizens Associations
- Other community based or religious groups that do not have a primary purpose of sport and/or recreation
- Progress associations
See the guidelines and FAQs for full details of eligible and ineligible organisations.
Projects and activities eligible for COEF support
Funding is for the capital cost of the project only. Applications should be limited to constructing new or enhancing existing Centres of Excellence on land within NSW that maximise community engagement and demonstrate enhanced inclusion of dedicated female programs and facilities to improve pathways for women and girls.
Centres of Excellence support athlete performance and wellbeing and typically include the following facility components:
- High performance training environments – indoor and/or outdoor
- Aquatic and non-aquatic recovery facilities
- Athlete lounge and nutrition spaces, learning and wellness areas
- Education theatres and other meeting and multipurpose spaces
- Science laboratory and testing areas and medical facilities
- Athlete change and preparation areas
- Property and storage areas
- Administration and associated amenity areas.
- Community engagement activities including:
- Community outreach programs and workshops
- Development of new community partnerships
- Use of the facility for social participation programs
- Grassroots sporting workshops and camps
- Primary, secondary, and tertiary educational workshops
Applicants should focus on the highest standard of design and be informed by best practice and legislative considerations, as detailed in the guidelines.
Applicants are responsible for project administration costs, non-fixed or movable equipment and the ongoing operation of the facility.
Specific projects and activities not supported by the fund include:
- the purchase or lease of land
- projects without landowner consent (unless owned by applicant organisation)
- facilities with little or no public access
- costs associated with feasibility, design, or development stages
- development application fees
- community consultation costs
- project management and/or design delivered by the organisation’s staff
- projects that have already been funded by the NSW Government unless where:
- project delivery has been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and/or
- significant new and additional scope is identified to be delivered
- general maintenance or replacement costs due to normal wear and tear
- playgrounds and play spaces
- upgrading or redeveloping kitchen or public toilet facilities
- building or upgrading licensed and gaming areas
See the guidelines and FAQs for full details of eligible and ineligible projects and activities.
Information to prepare for the COEF application
Eligible applicants must provide:
- evidence that supports the need for your project scope
- a detailed business case in line with NSW Government Business Case Guidelines
- evidence of a minimum 50% financial co-contribution (or Hardship Form)
- Memorandum of Understanding(s) and/or Joint Use Agreements (or similar) that demonstrate the roles and responsibilities of project partners (if applicable)
- letter of support from the relevant National/ State Sporting Organisation
- facility brief and concept or schematic design plans
- master plan/precinct plan if applicable
- a facility usage schedule
- a completed property and/or landowners consent form
- evidence of public liability and Workcover insurance
- detailed budget and costing quotes
- facility maintenance schedule
- letter of support from local Council
- letters of support from local sport/community groups/schools and Members of Parliament
- detailed project schedule, project management plan, gantt chart and/or comprehensive delivery plan
- development approval
- risk management plan and/or risk register
- current lease/licence if applicable
- most recent past 3 years financial statements
See the guidelines and sample application form for full details of information requirements.
Applying for COEF
Applications are submitted via Office of Sport SmartyGrants portal.
Book a no obligation discovery session with GrantHelper to increase your chances of success.
COEF assessment criteria
| Ref | Criteria | Weighting |
| 1 | Talent and development pathways – Facilitates progression from pre-elite to elite – Provides athlete welfare opportunities – Develops strategic partnerships – Aligns with fund aims and objectives | 25% |
| 2 | Community engagement – Meets community needs and accessibility requirements – Enhances community participation – Develops strategic partnerships | 25% |
| 3 | Exemplary facilities that are inclusive – Caters to a range of user groups – Multi-purpose components – Universal design principles and design for dignity – Environmental sustainability | 20% |
| 4 | Value for money – Detailed budget including cost allocation and itemised costs – Capacity to fund and manage ongoing operations – Evidence of co-contribution | 15% |
| 5 | Project deliverability and applicant capability – Landowner consent – Procurement/project/risk management strategies – Partnership model (if applicable)Project governance/team capability and experience – Project plan with key tasks and milestones – Contribution to economic employment opportunities | 15% |
COEF resources
Scroll down for grants recipients from the previous round.
How do I get COEF?
You need to ensure your organisation is eligible for the grant. Organisations that do not meet all the eligibility criteria outlined above will not be considered.
Successful applicants will demonstrate:
- a project aligned with the fund’s objectives that describes clear and achievable development pathways and support for athlete welfare
- a multi-purpose facility design that is inclusive and meets the highest design standards
- the necessary financial capacity and the project’s value for money proposition
- the capacity, capability and necessary governance arrangements to successfully deliver the project in its entirety within the agreed timeline
Centre of Excellence Fund 2021-22 Recipients
| Applicant Organisation | Project Title | Recommended Brief Project Description | Grant Amount |
| Cricket NSW | NSW Cricket Centre – Building a brighter future for Cricket | The Cricket Learning and Community Centre, lighting of the main oval and turf nets, and additional community field. | $6,400,000 |
| Disability Sports Australia Limited | Disability Sports Centre of Excellence | An accessible disability sports Centre of Excellence providing training, competitions, education, and health services relating to pathway programs. | $15,000,000 |
| Lake Macquarie City Council | NSW Trampoline Centre of Excellence (NSW TCE) | A high-performance training facility for aerial sports including diving, aerial skiing and skateboarding. | $12,508,750 |
| Sydney Football Club Pty Ltd | Sky Park Centre of Excellence | The Sky Park Centre of Excellence: a multi-purpose high performance sport and community facility based at the Macquarie University Sports Fields. | $5,500,000 |
| Sydney Swans Limited | Sydney Swans HQ and Community Centre | The Sydney Swans HQ and Community Centre: a multi-purpose centre for both elite sport and community use. | $5,980,000 |
| Western Sydney Football Club Limited | Giants Training and Community Centre Upgrade | The installation of facilities and amenities that provide a home ground for the GIANTS AFLW team and high performance facilities for the GIANTS’ three (3) professional sporting teams. | $15,000,000 |
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