Sometimes it is easy to forget the difference funding can make for athletes on the ground.  Individual stories can highlight this very fact.

Sarah Tait is captain of the Australian Rowing Team.  Sarah’s coach Bill, is also her husband and together they have a two-year-old daughter, Leila.

A mum and dad forming an athlete/coach Olympic partnership does not normally allow for great family friendly practices. The Tait’s have made huge sacrifices and Sarah’s mother relocated from Perth in the last 12 months to assist with the demands of the joint roles of parenting and training.

Their personal dedication and that of their family has been recognised by assistance made available to them as part of a Rowing Australia initiative, made possible by the Australian Government’s Green and Gold support package.

This funding will enable athlete’s children and their carers to travel and be accommodated at the Australian Institute of Sport’s European Training Centre at Varese in Italy for four weeks.

‘For us with both parents on the team and such a young child it would be impossible for us without this help,’ said Sarah, who will compete in the Women’s Coxless Pairs.

The innovative approach to support the families of athletes came after an average performance at the world games in Lucerne 2011; shortly after the team relocated to the AIS European Training Centre.  Families spent a dedicated period with athletes during the training block.

Rowing Australia’s Corporate Operations Manager Matt Treglown said the grants had lifted the performance of the team in 2011 – evidence enough for Rowing Australia to continue the scheme in 2012 at a cost of $100,000.

Mr Treglown said, ’Following the training period, including the period with families, the Australian Team produced their best ever result at a World Championship regatta.’

Sarah’s performance has the tick of approval from her husband and coach, Bill.

‘From a coach’s point of view, we get access to our best female athletes for more Olympiads.’

Bill said he was confident Sarah was tracking well in the lead up to the London Games: “Sarah’s doing significant PB’s this year in basically every activity.”

A number of Olympic rowing team members are women with young children, Dana Faletic has a 3-year-old son, Harry and Hannah Every-Hall is Mum to Harrison 5 and Charlie 3.

In a recent media article, Dana Faletic, like Sarah Tait was clear that the Green and Gold funding is helping to keep families together will make an impact in the lead up to the London Games.

‘That's making all the difference. Otherwise I couldn't go, I couldn't do it.’