The one-off boost to high performance funding will allow wheelchair rugby - along with archery, men's wheelchair basketball, boccia, triathlon, shooting and canoeing - to increase in line with the AIS investment model.

This critical funding also provides the sports with much-needed certainty as they re-set for the Tokyo Games in 2021.

"It's cool to see there is still support for sports through these times," Batt said.

"It would have been pretty easy to restrict any payments into sport because of financial hardship, but sport gives so many people an outlet.

"We're still hoping to go to Tokyo next year and that might help fund some of that, but worst case we'll look to Paris in 2024."

Batt felt now was a crucial time for all sports to start looking to fast-track up-and-coming players due to the uncertainty of what the future holds.

"Development is a crucial side of things and I'm hugely passionate about seeing those kids who have lost their drive," he said.

"Sport brings them out of their bubble.

"I was stuck in a bit of a bubble as a kid and I'm so thankful for sport and our program because it's made me the person I am today."

The Port Macquarie product said he was still preparing for Tokyo in 2021, but the latest spike in COVID cases in Victoria had made it mentally tough.

"There's no doubt it's one of the strangest and hardest times in my career with so much uncertainty about when, what or if something will happen," he said.

"We're still training, but not at the high volume we should be right now.

"It is difficult and hard to train because we don't have anything on the cards coming up and I can't represent my country so you do wonder what you're doing it for."

Thank you for valuing local journalism with your subscription. While you're with us, you can also receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.