Eligibility
& Nomination

Applications Open

1st of July

Applications Close

31st of July

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

    Age Requirement

    Applicants must be aged 11 to 21 as of 1st July 2025

    Citizenship & Residency

    Must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or holder of a humanitarian visa

    Must live and train primarily on the Gold Coast during the program period

    Note: Temporary relocation for national camps or elite training programs is permitted, as long as the athlete’s main residence remains within the Gold Coast Local Government Area

    Sport Eligibility

    Must compete in a recognised 2032 Olympic or Paralympic sport

    Performance & Potential

    Must have a clear goal to become an Olympian or Paralympian

    Financial Need

    Athletes facing financial barriers to elite competition will be prioritised in the selection process

View Full Eligibility

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO GO FOR GOLD? 

We’re on the hunt for emerging Gold Coast athletes with Olympic or Paralympic dreams. If you’re aged 11–21, train on the Gold Coast, and have the drive, discipline, and potential — now’s the time to step up.

An initial 4 athletes will be selected to receive personalised development support, mentorship, elite training access, and community backing.

Mentorship

Access pathways, and mentoring opportunities to accelerate your journey toward Brisbane 2032

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

It’s about more than performance — we invest in your leadership, education, community impact, and personal growth.

MEDIA EXPOSURE

Share your story on a national stage — from feature interviews to press opportunities, we’ll amplify your achievements and elevate your voice.

JOIN A LEGACY TEAM

You’ll become part of a closeknit, like-minded group of driven athletes

Mentorship

Access pathways, and mentoring opportunities to accelerate your journey toward Brisbane 2032

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

It’s about more than performance — we invest in your leadership, education, community impact, and personal growth.

MEDIA EXPOSURE

You’ll become part of a closeknit, like-minded group of driven athletes

JOIN A LEGACY TEAM

You’ll become part of a closeknit, like-minded group of driven athletes

Get Ready to nominate

Think you’ve got the drive, talent, and Olympic dreams to match?

Submit your nomination below and join the journey to Gold

APPLICATIONS opened

1ST OF JULY

APPLICATIONS closed

31ST OF JULY

Frequently asked
questions

  • Be aged between 11 and 21 years as of 1 July 2025 (i.e., born between 2 July 2003 and 1 July 2014, inclusive).
  • Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or holder of a permanent humanitarian visa.
  • Maintain a primary residential address within the Gold Coast Local Government Area (LGA) for the duration of the program.
  • Compete in an official 2032 Olympic or Paralympic sport.
  • Aspire to Olympic or Paralympic selection and demonstrate sustained development potential.
  • Not have previously represented Australia at an Olympic or Paralympic Games.
  • Athletes may attend state or national training camps or temporarily train at elite facilities outside the region.
  • However, to remain eligible for Grow for Gold, athletes must always maintain their primary residential address within the Gold Coast Local Government Area (LGA). This is a strict requirement of the program.
  • Participation in national training programs or temporary relocation for development purposes (e.g., training with a National Sporting Organisation’s high-performance program) will not impact eligibility, as long as the athlete’s principal place of residence remains within the Gold Coast LGA.
  • No. While recognition or identification by a National, State, or Regional Sporting Organisation, or by the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) is welcomed, it is not a requirement.
  • Athletes training individually or working with private coaches, sports schools, or high-performance academies are encouraged to apply.
  • While recognition or identification by a National, State, or Regional Sporting Organisation, or by the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) is welcomed, it is not a requirement.
  • Athletes training individually or working with private coaches, sports schools, or high-performance academies are encouraged to apply.
  • No, however the program prioritises athletes who face financial barriers to accessing high-performance development and elite-level competition.
  • Grow for Gold will initially support four athletes in its first intake, with the expectation to increase this to eight athletes in future, subject to funding and growth.
  • Selected athletes will receive up to $10,000 per year for seven years, leading up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
  • Funds can be used to support costs including:
  • Travel and accommodation for competitions
  • Coaching and mentoring
  • Allied health services (e.g., physiotherapy, psychology, nutrition)
  • Equipment and access to training facilities
  • Applications open: 1 July 2025
  • Applications close: Midnight, 31 July 2025
  • Apply online at: www.growforgold.com.au
  • You may only appeal if your application is deemed ineligible based on the published criteria.
  • To request a review:
  • Submit a written request within 7 days of receiving your ineligibility notice.
  • Email: info@sportsgoldcoast.com.au
  • Note: Appeals regarding assessment or selection outcomes will not be considered.
  • Applications will be reviewed and assessed during August 2025.
  • The selected team of Grow for Gold athletes will be announced in September 2025.

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