The funding is a legacy for Commonwealth Games sports and athletes of hosting Gold Coast 2018, which will celebrate its one-year anniversary since the Opening Ceremony this Thursday (April 4).

The 2019-2022 funding includes AUD$2 million (£1.1 million/$1.4 million/€1.3 million) in direct athlete support in the final 18 months leading into Birmingham 2022.

The remaining AUD$11 million (£6 million/$8 million/€7 million) will fund initiatives which CGA believes will most likely contribute to its aspiration of being the number one nation in three years.

The initial grants programme consists of AUD$4.155 million (£2.252 million/$2.941 million/€2.625 million) in project funding for the 18 Birmingham 2022 sports for projects in 2019 and 2020, targeting pre-elite athletes who have their sights set on the Games.

Further funds have been set aside to support additional sports which may be added to the Birmingham 2022 programme by the Commonwealth Games Federation.

In addition, AUD$25,000 (£14,000/$18,000/€16,000) has been set aside for 2019 and 2020 Kurt Fearnley Scholarships in conjunction with the Carbine Club of New South Wales (NSW).

The recipients are due to be announced on Friday (April 5) at a Carbine Club of NSW lunch in Sydney.

The funding is targeted at able-bodied and Para-sport athletes for projects that are focused on the Commonwealth Games, and includes specific 2022 campaign funding, which will come after the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

CGA chief executive Craig Phillips claims the funding is vital for sports and athletes to assist in their preparations specifically for Birmingham 2022 and is an investment in team success at the Games.

"Between 1996 and 2018, CGA has provided in excess of AUD$43 million (£23 million/$30 million/€27 million) to its members and athletes," he said.

"The funding comes entirely from income from investments held in the Australian Commonwealth Games Foundation, sponsorship rights sales and fundraising activities and has been boosted by legacies of hosting home Games in Melbourne and now Gold Coast.

"The funding is designed to complement rather than replace or replicate other sources of funding such as via Sport Australia or the AIS (Australian Institute of Sport).

"And in some sports where Olympic-related funding is minimal, this funding provides a lifeline for their athletes and the sport.

"Our 2016-2022 strategy is 'Building Team Success' and this funding will help our sports and athletes in these crucial two years before the final lead-in to Birmingham where our goal is to be the number one nation in both gold and overall medals at the 2022 Commonwealth Games."

Australia topped the medal table at Gold Coast 2018 with 198, including 80 gold.

The country finished comfortably ahead of nearest challengers England, who managed 136 medals, including 45 gold.

At Glasgow 2014, it was a different story, with England topping the medal table on 174, including 58 gold.

Australia finished second with 137 medals, including 49 gold.

CGA says it will continue to work with partner sports and high-performance partners at the AIS, Paralympics Australia and State/Territory Institutes of Sport to ensure the best possible preparation for Australian athletes to compete at the Commonwealth Games.