Performance Pathways Program

Applications closed

Key dates

2024-26

Applications close: Midday 20 March 2024

Expected notification: May 2024

Guidelines and budget

2024-26

The total budget for the Performance Pathways Program for the two years (2024-26) is $1,489,000, sourced from state government appropriation.

On a financial year basis, the budget is broken down as follows:

2024-25 - $735,000
2025-26 - $754,000*

*The increase in program budget for 2024-2026 relates to annual indexation.

Performance Pathways Program guidelines

Evidence of national sporting organisation alignment template

To be eligible for funding, organisations must:

Be incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act 1985 (SA) or a company limited by guarantee; and
Be a nationally affiliated State Sporting Organisation (SSO) or a National Sporting Organisation (NSO) operating under a One Management or Unitary organisation structure, whose sport discipline competes or will compete in the current or next cycle of Olympic, Paralympic, Commonwealth Games sports; and
Have been operating for 12 months or longer.

The following organisations will be considered ineligible:

Individuals.
Other government agencies.
Local councils.
Private businesses.
An organisation that has overdue Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing (ORSR) grant acquittals as at the application closing date of the program. However, applications may be considered by the ORSR if these overdue acquittals have been submitted prior to the date when the final grant recommendations are forwarded to the Minister for consideration and possible approval.

All applicants must be able to provide evidence that they have endorsement from their associated National Sporting Organisation (NSO). The applicant must provide documentation showing how their NSO is aligned to the program.

A project must align with the overall high-performance strategic plan of the associated NSO. Evidence of the NSO’s endorsement of the project is critical for the assessment process and must be submitted with the online application prior to the closing date.

Projects must be for the development and/or operation of performance pathways, so that South Australian high-performance athletes can achieve their potential in Olympic, Paralympic, or Commonwealth Games sports.

Projects must aim to improve the quality of the daily training environment, supporting the program goal of having more South Australian athletes being nationally identified and categorised by their NSO.

Weighting	Value Extent to which the applicant evidences:
15%	Scope and impact of the project. The proportion of financial co-investment to the project.
	Talent Pool Extent to which the applicant:
30%	Justifies the proposed project based on the number of current talented athletes who are demonstrating the potential to be future medallists at World Championships / Olympic / Paralympic / Commonwealth Games. Demonstrates a plan for progression and/or expansion of athlete and coaching talent over the lifetime of the project, e.g. number of athletes progressing into SASI and NSO pathway programs. Demonstrates a strategy and plan to identify, recruit and retain talented athletes to their sport which maximises the opportunity for athlete representation at the 2028 / 2032 Olympic / Paralympic Games, and 2026 / 2030 Commonwealth Games. Demonstrates current strategies to enhance diversity and inclusion including recruitment practices, training programs and future initiatives aimed at growing talented athletes, coaches, and high-performance support personnel within the sport.
	Program Delivery Extent to which the applicant evidences:
30%	Who will be responsible for the management and delivery of the project. The key deliverables over the term of the program. The ability to deliver the performance pathway program outcomes based on current and proposed staffing, resources, technologies, facilities etc. Demonstrate innovative approaches to identify and maximise opportunities for success, addressing gaps and creating solutions. A detailed budget demonstrating the potential for project to be sustainable beyond funding provided via this grant program, including details of any user pay requirements.
	Strategic Justification ORSR will make an assessment on:
25%	How the program links together underpinning SSO / Club programs and post-project pathway – e.g., SASI programs / national representative programs. A detailed plan that outlines a nationally aligned, state delivered program. Alignment with the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing and South Australian Sports Institute’s strategic plan. Alignment of the program to state priorities (high performance outcomes, infrastructure, participation).

For a detailed breakdown of the following process refer to the guidelines.

Apply - applications submitted by organisation via SmartyGrants.
Screening - ORSR screens applications for eligibility.
Assessment
1. A funding assessment committee (FAC) assesses applications. Some eligible applicants may be contacted and invited to present their project in person to the FAC. Please note that a limited window of time will be available to conduct all presentations. Online presentation options will be made available, and applicants may opt out of the presentation, however this is advised against as part of a competitive process.
Recommendation Process - Recommendations are provided to the Minister.
Notification - All applicants are notified of outcome.

When unforeseen circumstances occur in the delivery of your grant, grantees can seek to amend the terms or conditions, seek additional time or amend the purpose/outcome of the grant.

If you require an amendment, please contact us with your application number and we will forward an Agreement Variation Request through SmartyGrants, which will ask what you would like varied and why you need it varied, for that specific grant.

Your Agreement Variation Request will be considered, and you will be notified of the outcome of your request.

Contact Funding Services

1300 714 990 (option 1)

ORSR.Grants@sa.gov.au