Australia’s preparations for Gold Coast 2018 have been given a boost after being provided with extra funding ©CGA

Australia’s preparations for Gold Coast 2018 have been given a boost after it was announced extra AUD$2 million (£1.2 million/$1.5 million/€1.4 million) of funding would be provided part of a new partnership.

The announcement of the agreement between the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) was made at the launch of a CGA campaign for Gold Coast 2018, including a new brand and name.

The CGA was previously known as the Australian Commonwealth Games Association and now has an updated logo.

Steve Moneghetti, Chef de Mission of the Australian team for Gold Coast 2018, revealed the CGA had joined forces with the AIS to improve the amount of money given to help the nation’s chances of success at the Games on home soil.

"For each and every Commonwealth Games we prepare as best we can, but there is no shying away from the added importance of the games being held on home soil," he said.

"Today on the Gold Coast, representatives from each of the 18 sports to be featured at Gold Coast 2018 have come together as our full focus shifts to preparing as best we can for a successful Games.

"As part our mission to do all we can to help sports and athletes prepare for 2018, Commonwealth Games Australia is really pleased to have partnered with the AIS to provide a further $2million in funding directly to athletes.

"We fully expect our Australian team to be made up of equal numbers of male and female athletes, and importantly, for the first time ever at a multi-sport games, male and female athletes will compete for an equal number of medals."

Steve Moneghetti, Chef de Mission of the Australian team for Gold Coast 2018, was present at the launch ©Twitter
Steve Moneghetti, Chef de Mission of the Australian team for Gold Coast 2018, was present at the launch ©Twitter

CGA chief executive officer Craig Phillips believes the time is right to launch a new brand and logo on the road to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, due to take place from April 4 to 15.

"Commonwealth Games Australia is about athletes representing and inspiring their country and achieving their sporting dreams, so it was important that athletes were a key part of the process in this new look coming together," he said.

"We are proud that Commonwealth Games athletes, past and present, have been the driving force behind our new look and we really believe it is something they will be proud to wear and represent.

"When our Chef de Mission Steve Moneghetti saw this new brand, he said, ‘At the 35km when every part of me wants to stop running, I will look down at this mark and it will drive me on, it will remind me that I am doing this for my team and my country.’

"We hope it is something that drives all of the Australian Team to the finish line."