Parkour (and its artistic cousin freerunning) involves moving efficiently and creatively through environments using running, jumping, climbing, and vaulting. Parkour Australia governs the sport. Parkour has an Olympic pathway — the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has jurisdiction over competitive parkour (Obstacle Course/Parkour), which may appear at future Olympics. This guide covers the key funding sources.
Parkour Australia is the national governing body:
- National competition events (urban/outdoor and gym disciplines)
- Club and gym affiliation
- International connection through World Parkour Federation and FIG
Contact Parkour Australia for national programme access.
Parkour is in the process of Olympic recognition:
- FIG (International Gymnastics Federation): Has taken governance of competitive parkour
- IOC recognition: Parkour is working toward Olympic inclusion
- Sport Australia: Investment grows as Olympic recognition advances
This pathway is a developing funding argument — worth mentioning in applications to demonstrate the sport's trajectory.
Sport Australia funds parkour through Parkour Australia:
- National programme investment
- Growing sport development
State sport agencies fund community parkour:
- NSW Office of Sport: Parkour gym and outdoor space grants
- Sport and Recreation Victoria: Parkour development
- Queensland, WA, SA: State sport grants
Gaming grants fund parkour gyms and clubs:
- NSW ClubGRANTS: Equipment and programme grants
- State gaming trusts: Equipment and development
Typical gaming grant applications for parkour:
- Parkour-specific foam pit blocks
- Obstacle equipment: Bars, boxes, vault tables, A-frames
- Training mats (crash mats and landing pads)
- Padded walls and gymnastics-grade padding
Indoor parkour gyms require:
- Open floor space: Large, open area for movement
- Obstacle structures: Vaulting boxes, bars, walls, platforms
- Foam pit: For learning new skills safely
- Landing mats: Thick mats for impact absorption
- Padded walls: For wall runs and flips
A basic parkour gym setup (obstacles and mats) costs $20,000–$100,000+ depending on size and quality.
Outdoor parkour training:
- Urban spaces: Many practitioners train in public parks and urban environments
- Purpose-built spaces: Some councils build dedicated parkour parks
- Local councils: Primary funders for outdoor parkour infrastructure
Local council grants for outdoor exercise and recreation infrastructure:
- Parkour parks alongside skate parks
- Outdoor fitness equipment trails
- Community recreation space
Junior parkour is a significant market:
- Youth classes: Movement skills, confidence, and body control
- Schools parkour: Physical education with parkour elements
- Junior competition: Age-grade parkour events
- Junior obstacle course: Age-appropriate skill building
Women's parkour is growing:
- Sport Australia: Women in sport investment
- Women's classes: Some gyms offer women-only or women-first sessions
- Female representation: Growing competition and community
Parkour intersects with urban planning:
- Council recreational spaces: Parkour parks alongside skateparks
- Active recreation infrastructure: Part of active city design
- Youth space: Councils value youth-friendly infrastructure
Strong applications demonstrate:
- Participant numbers: Practitioners by age, gender, and skill level
- Youth development: Children and youth in programmes — significant market for parkour
- Women's participation: Female parkour engagement
- Infrastructure: Gym equipment or outdoor space justified per programme
- Safety protocols: Progressive skill development, qualified instruction
- Olympic trajectory: FIG recognition and Olympic pathway if relevant
- Community access: Making parkour accessible regardless of equipment cost
- Organisation governance: Financial health, affiliation to Parkour Australia
Tahua's grants management platform helps parkour gyms and clubs manage grant applications across multiple funders, tracking youth development, participation, and equipment outcomes that funders value.