Australia's rugby sevens program has received a huge boost from the Australian Institute of Sport [AIS] with the government body set to provide Rugby Australia with a one-off funding grant.
Following an increase in funding from the Federal Government, the AIS has confirmed they will provide RA with a $2.2 million grant for the Australian sevens program. This additional grant brings the total 2020/21 investment by the Federal Government and AIS to $4.5 million.
The defending Olympic champions women's program is set to receive $1.4million, while the men will receive $800,000. It's a significant boon for RA who were faced with some difficult decisions around the program.
"This increase is a tick of approval for our teams and the progress they had made before the World Series was suspended," RA interim CEO Rob Clarke said via statement. "Our Australian women's sevens pressing for another title and our men's team were finishing the season with a wet sail as they sat in fourth position with four rounds to go.
"This extra funding will allow for more security and greater planning ahead the Tokyo Olympic Games and as we move forward in a new sevens landscape."
Several players from both the men's and women's programs were released from their contracts early, months ago, after it was determined it was unlikely they would take part in next year's postponed Tokyo Olympics.
Staff throughout RA have been stood down or placed on JobKeeper and the increased funding will allow the sporting body to get back to resourcing a strong program.
"While all our sport partners continue to weather the challenges of COVID-19, we are really pleased at the AIS to be able to provide these additional measures to support Rugby Australia's sevens programs as they head towards Tokyo," Chair of the Australian Sports Commission, John Wylie said.
"Thousands of Australians and in particular, girls, were inspired by the feats of our gold medallists in Rio, and we'd love to see the women's team defend that gold, and get the men onto the podium as well."
After months of postponements and cancellations of Sevens World Series events, World Rugby has been forced to conclude the season and crowned both New Zealand men's and women's teams the 2019/20 champions.