The ACT government will spend a record $1.7 million to extend its partnership with the UC Capitals for a further four years.

The government says this is the largest spend it has made in the UC Capitals, with $400,000 provided annually to support the team’s continued growth in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL).

“This deal means that we can invest more into building the Caps as a model of what a professional sports franchise should look like in Australia and give our players the relevant support they need as pro athletes,” says Christy Collier-Hill, the team’s executive general manager

Funding will support the UC Capitals to meet the new minimum standards across the WNBL. This includes increasing the minimum wage per player, with a portion of this new funding going directly to players.

The renewed partnership with the UC Capitals aligns with the ACT government’s CBR Next Move strategic plan, which prioritises investment in local talent and the development of sustainable professional pathways for Canberra athletes.