Australia’s major sporting codes have welcomed the findings of an independent review that questions a funding bias towards Olympic sports.

Details of the highly-anticipated Crawford Report were released on Tuesday, recommending the federal government direct more resources towards sports that attract high participation and are part of the “national ethos”.

While the report did not recommend any cuts to elite sports funding, it took issue with the Australian Olympic Committee’s quest to reclaim “top five” status on the medal count at the 2012 London Olympics.

As an example, it highlighted that archery – an Olympic sport – received more government funds than cricket, which has more than 100 times the number of participants.

Major codes including cricket, AFL and rugby league, who stand to benefit should the federal government take on the recommendations, were unsurprisingly enthusiastic support for the findings.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said the report had been “worth the wait.”

“We fully support the report’s observation about the importance of sport as part of the Australian way of life and for its part promoting healthy, active lifestyles,” he said.

AFL chief Andrew Demetriou was equally supportive.

“The AFL welcomes the Crawford Report’s view that sport needs to be open to all people and to ensure that all Australians are welcomed by sport and provided with opportunities to participate and be included,” Demetriou said.

“Sports such as netball, cricket and all of the major football codes each play a vital role in introducing large numbers of young Australians to healthy habits of life-long physical activity and we welcome the recommendations around more sport and physical activity being part of school curriculums.”

NRL chief executive David Gallop was glowing in his praise.

“The report’s recognition of rugby league as an important part of the national ethos is welcomed,” Gallop said.
“Sport plays an important role in people’s lives and rugby league is keen to work with both the government and the community in providing the best possible outcomes.”

The report’s findings are set to be met with fierce criticism from the Australian Olympic Committee, which had called for an extra $100 million a year for 10 years for elite sports.

It drew criticism from the Australian Paralympic Committee, which said in a statement it was “disappointed” by the report.

“The unique and increasingly important role of Paralympic sport in Australia has been given little attention in this report,” APC chief executive Miles Murphy said.

“Our submission appears to have been largely ignored, so too the needs of Australia’s current and future Paralympic athletes, coaches and officials.”

Olympic swimming legend Kieren Perkins was also critical of the findings, believing it was clear financially-disadvantaged Olympic sports were the most in need.

“Surely the funding of our sporting success should be judged on need and quite clearly the football codes are more than flushed with funds and the Olympic sports are not,” Perkins said.

The federal government will officially respond to the report early next year.

© AAP 2012

Enjoy sports? Enjoy a bargain? All Sports Online has your favourite sporting brands at up to 70% off. Online only, premium quality sporting goods and merchandise at discounted prices. Get a deal now.