Celebrating the 40th AIS Anniversary

by Greg Blood

The Australian Institute of Sport celebrates its 40th anniversary on 26 January 2021. It was opened by Prime Minister Malcom Fraser by unveiling John Robinson’s ‘Acrobats’ statue. The establishment of the AIS has been one of the most significant developments in Australian sport – taking Australia from the amateur sporting world to significant nation in the highly competitive international sporting arena.

In 2002, the AIS offered scholarships annually to about 700 athletes in 35 separate programs covering 26 sports, and employed around 65 coaches. After 2002, several sports were removed from the AIS due to funding limitations post Sydney Olympics and several NSO’s deciding to take control of programs.

The AIS undertook a major change in direction in 2012 with the implementation of the Winning Edge Strategy. This led to the AIS from 2014 no longer offering scholarships and responsiblity forthe daily training of athletes. This responsibility was handed over by the AIS to national sports organisations and state/institute academies of sport.

As part of the AIS 21st anniversary celebrations in 2002, 21 athletes were inducted into the AIS ‘Best of the Best’. Further inductions occurred in 2006 and 2011. As of 2011, there were 28 athletes in the AIS Best of the Best. It should be noted that Stuart O’Grady was removed due to an admission of doping during his professional road cycling career.

To recognise the AIS 40th anniversary I decided to select an additional 22 athletes to create a 50 ‘Best of the Best AIS Athletes. I had originally decided to have a list of 40 but the rich level of achievements by AIS athletes led me easily to 50.

2002 – AIS Best of the Best Inductees

Alisa Camplin AM (AIS Aerial Skiing 1998-2006) International Performances – Winter Olympics: 1 Gold, 1 Bronze (2002-2006), World Championships; 1 Gold (2003) ; Recognition – AIS Best of the Best (2002), Sport Australia Hall of Fame The Don Award (2002), Skiing Australia Athlete of the Year (2004), Sport Australia Hall of Fame (2008)

John Eales AM (AIS Rugby Union190-1991) International performances – Wallabies: 86 tests, 173 points, Captain 60 matches (1991-2001), World Cup: 2 Gold (1991, 1999) ; Recognition – AIS Best of the Best (2002),   Queenslander of the Year (2001), Sport Australia Hall of Fame (2003), International Rugby Hall of Fame (2007), Queensland Sport Hall of Fame (2009), Wallaby Hall of Fame (2011), Legend Queensland Sport Hall of Fame (2011), Legend Sport Australia Hall of Fame (2020)

Robert de Castella AO MBE (AIS Athletics1983-1985) International Performances – World Championships: 1 Gold (1983), Commonwealth Games; 2 Gold (1982-1986), Summer Olympics: 4 (3 top 10) (1980-1992) ; Recognition – Australian of the Year (1983) , Sport Australia Hall of Fame (1985), AIS Best of Best (2002),  Athletics Australia Hall of Fame (2008)

Simon Fairweather OAM  ( AIS Archery 1998-2004) International Performances – Summer Olympics: 1Gold (2000), World Championships: 1 Gold , 1 Bronze (1991) ; Recognition – Young Australian of the Year 1991, AIS Best of Best (2002), Sport Australia Hall of Fame 2009, Archery Australia Hall of Fame (2010) 

Neil Fuller OAM (AIS Athletics 1994-2001) International performances – Summer Paralympics: 6 Gold, 6 Silver, 3 Bronze (1992-2004), World Championships: 8 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze (1990-2002) ; Recognition – AIS Best of the Best (2002), South Australian Sport Hall of Fame (2012)

Bridgette Gusterson OAM  (AIS 1993-2000) International performances – Summer Olympics: 1 Gold (2000) ; FINA Works Cup: 1 Gold (1995) ; Australian Stingers Captain (1997-2000) ; Recognition – AIS Best of the Best (2002), Australian Water Polo Hall of Fame (2010), Sport Australia Hall of Fame (2020)

Rechelle Hawkes AM (AIS Hockey 1986-1992, 1994-2000) International Performances: Hockeyroos (319 games, 54 goals 1985-2000) ;  Summer Olympics: 3 Gold (1988-2000), World Cup: 2 Gold, 1 Silver (1990-1998), Commonwealth Games: 1 Gold (1998) ; Recognition – AIS Best of the Best (2002), Sport Australia Hall of Fame (2002),   WA Hall of Champions (2005), Hockey Australia Hall of Fame (2010)

Shane Kelly OAM (AIS Track Cycling 1992-2006) International Performances – Summer Olympics: 2 Silver, 1 Bronze (1992-2004), World Championships: 4 Gold, 5 Silver, 5 Bronze (1993-2006), Commonwealth Games: 2 Gold, 1 Bronze (1994-2006) ; Recognition – AIS Athlete of the Year (1995), Australian Cyclist of the Year (1996), Australian Male Track Cyclist of the Year ( 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999), AIS Best of the Best (2002), Victorian Cycling Hall of Fame (2012)

Michael Klim OAM (AIS Swimming 1994-2001) International performances –Summer Olympics: 2 Gold, 3 Silver , 1 Bronze (1996-2004), World Championships LC:  7 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze (1998-2007), Commonwealth Games: 5 Gold, 3 Silver, 3 Bronze (1998-2006) ; Recognition – AIS Athlete of the Year (1998, 1999), Australian Swimmer of the Year (1997, 1998), AIS Best of the Best (2002), International Swimming Hall of Fame (2020)

Luc Longley AM (AIS Basketball 1986-1987) International Performances – Summer Olympics: 3 (1988, 1992, 2000),  World Championships (1990), NBA Championships: 3 (1996-1998) ; Recognition – Gaze Medal (1989),  AIS Best of the Best (2001),  Australian Basketball Hall of Fame (2006), Sport Australia Hall of Fame (2009)

Glenn McGrath AM (AIS Cricket 1992-1993) International performances – 563 wickets in 124 Test Matches ; Recognition – Allan Border Medal (2000),; AIS Best of the Best (2002),  Sport Australia Hall of Fame (2011), ICC Cricket Hall of Fame (2013), Cricket Australia Hall of Fame (2014)

Michelle Martin OAM (AIS Squash 1985-1990, 1998-1999) International performances – World Championships : 3 Gold, 4 Silver (1992-1999), Commonwealth Games: 2 Gold (1998), British Open: Six Titles (1993-1998) ; Recognition –New South Wales Sports Hall of Champions (1998), AIS Best of the Best (2002), Sport Australia Hall of Fame (2001), World Squash Hall of Fame (2001), Squash Australia Hall of Fame Legend (2011);

Michael Milton OAM (AIS Skiing1994-2009) International performances – Winter Paralympics: 6 Gold, 3 Silver, 2 Bronze (1992-2002) ; World Championships: 6 Gold, 4 Silver, 1 Bronze (1996-2004) ; Recognition – AIS Best of the Best (2002), Australian Paralympian of the Year (2002), Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability (2002), Sport Australia Hall of Fame (2014), ACT Sport Hall of Fame (2015)

Clint Robinson OAM (AIS 1990-2008) International performances – Summer Olympics: 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze (1992-2004), World Championsips: 1 Gold, 2 Silver , 1 Bronze (1991-1995) ; Recognition – AIS Athlete of the Year (1992), AIS Best of the Best (2001), Queensland Sport Hall of Fame (2009), Sport Australia Hall of Fame (2013), Paddle Australia Hall of Fame

Louise Sauvage OAM (AIS Athletics 1993-2000) International Performances – Summer Paralympics: 9 Gold, 4 Silver (1992-2004), World Championships: 12 Gold, 2 Silver (1990-2002), Summer Olympics: 2 Gold, 1 Bronze (1996-2004) ; Recognition – Australian Paralympian of the Year (1994, 1996, 1997, 1998), AIS Athlete of the Year (1997), AIS Best of the Best (2001), Sport Australia Hall of Fame (2007 – Legend in 2019), Paralympics Australia Hall of Fame (2011),  International Paralympic Hall of Fame (2012), Athletics Australia Hall of Fame (2014)

Kate Allen (nee Slatter) OAM (AIS Rowing 1991-2000) International performances – Summer Olympics: 1 Gold, 1 Silver (1996-2000), World Championships: 1 Gold, 2 Bronze (1994-1999), Commonwealth Championships: 2 Silver (1994) ; Recognition – AIS Best of Best (2002) , Sport Australia Hall of Fame (2002), South Australian Sport Hall of Fame (2010)

Zali Stegall OAM (AIS Skiing 1996-2002) International performances – Winter Olympics: 1 Bronze (1998), 4 Olympics (1992, 1994, 1998, 2002), World Championships: 1 Gold (1999) ; Recognition – AIS Best of the Best (2002),   Sport Australia Hall of Fame (2004)

Petria Thomas OAM (AIS Swimming 1993-2004) International performances – Summer Olympics: 3 Gold, 4 Silver, 1 Bronze (1996-2004), World Championships LC – 3 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze (1998-2001), Commonwealth Games: 9 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze (1994-2002) ; Recognition – AIS Swimming Hall of Fame (1996), AIS Athlete of the Year (2001, 2002), AIS Best of the Best (2002), Sport Australia Hall of Fame (2007)

Mark Viduka (AIS Football 1992-1993) International Performances – Socceroos: 43 games, 11 goals (1994-2007), World Cup: (2006), Summer Olympics: (1996,2000) ; Recognition – Oceania Footballer of the Year (2000), AIS Best of the Best (2002), Alex Tobin OAM Medal (2011), FA Hall of Fame (2014)

Vicki Wilson OAM (AIS Netball 1985-1986) International Performances – Diamonds: 104 games; Captain 1996-1999 (1985-1999), World Championships: 3 Gold, 1 Silver (1987-1999), Commonwealth Games: 1 Gold (1998) ; Recognition – AIS Best of the Best (2002), Sport Australia Hall of Fame (2004), Australian Netball Hall of Fame (2008)

Todd Woodbridge OAM ( AIS Tennis 1986-1990) International performances – Summer Olympics: 1 Gold, 1 Silver with Mark Woodforde (1996-2000), 22 Doubles Grand Slam Titles ; Recognition – AIS Best of the Best (2002),   Australian Tennis Hall of Fame (2010), International Tennis Hall of Fame (2010)

2006 – AIS Best of Best Inductees

Lauren Jackson AO  (AIS Basketball 1997-1999) International Performances – Summer Olympics: 3 Silver, 1 Bronze (2000-2012), World Championships: 1 Gold, 2 Bronze (1998-2006), Commonwealth Games: 1 Gold (2006) ; Recognition – Basketball Australia International Player of the Year (1999, 2000, 2002), AIS Best of the Best (2006), WNBA MVP: (2003, 2007, 2010), WNBA Championship: (2004, 2010), Australian Basketball Hall of Fame (2019), Sport Australia Hall of Fame (2020)

Chantelle Newberry OAM (AIS Diving 1996-2008) International performances – Summer Olympics: 1 Gold, 1 Bronze (2004), World Championships: 1 Silver, 1 Bronze (1998-2005), Commonwealth Games: 2 Gold, 3 Silver (1998-2006) ; Recognition – AIS Best of the Best (2006)

Kerry Saxby-Junna AM (AIS Athletics 1986-2001) International Performances – World Championships: 1 Silver and 1 Bronze (1987, 1999), World Indoor Championships: 1 Gold, 2 Silver (1989-1993), Commonwealth Games: 2 Gold, 1 Silver (1990-1998), Set 32 world records or world bests ; Recognition – AIS Athlete of the Year (1986/87, 1987/1988, 1989), AIS Best of the Best (2006), Athletics Australia Hall of Fame (2013)

Matthew Cowdrey OAM (AIS Paralympic Swimming 2004-2012) International performances – Summer Paralympics: 13 Gold,  7 Silver, 3 Bronze (2004-2012), World Championships LC: 16 Gold, 3 Silver, 2 Bronze (2006-2013), Commonwealth Games: 3 Gold, 1 Silver (2006-2014) ; Recognition – Australian Young Paralympian of the Year (2004), Swimming Australia Swimmer of the Year with a Disability (2004-2007), Young South Australian of the Year (2009), AIS Best of the Best (2011), Sport Australia Hall of Fame (2019)

2011 – AIS Best of the Best Inductees

Jamie Dwyer OAM (AIS Hockey 1998-2013) International Performances – Kookaburras 326 games, 215 goals (2001-2016), Summer Olympics: 1 Gold, 2 Bronze (2004-2012) , World Cup: 2 Gold, 2 Silver (2002-2014), Commonwealth Games: 3 Gold (2002-2010) ; Recognition – IHF World Player of the Year. (2004, 2007, 2011), AIS Best of the Best (2011)

Anna Meares OAM (AIS Track Cycling2004-2013) International performances – Summer Olympics: 2 Gold, 1 Silver, 3 Bronze (2004-2016), World Championships: 11 Gold, 9 Silver, 6 Bronze (2004-2015), Commonwealth Games: 5 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze (2006-2014) ; Recognition – AIS Athlete of the Year (2007, 2011), AIS Best of the Best (2011), Australian Cyclist of the Year (2008, 2012)

Malcolm Page OAM  (AIS Sailing 2002-2013) International performances – Summer Olympics: 2 Gold (2008-2012), World Championships: 7 Gold (2004-2012) ; Recognition – Australian Yachtsman of the Year (2009), AIS Best of the Best (2011), Sport Australia Hall of Fame (2016), Australian Sailing Hall of Fame (2020)

Ricky Ponting AO (AIS Cricket 1992-1993) International performances – 13,378 runs in 168 Tests (51.85) ; Australian Test Captain(2003-2001 – 77 tests), World Cup: 3 (1999. 2003. 2007) ; Recognition – Allan Border Medal (2004, 2006, 2007, 2009), Wisden Cricketer of the Year (2006), ICC Player of the Year (2006,2007), ICC Test Player of the Year ( 2003, 2004, 2006), One-Day International Player of the Year (2002), AIS Best of the Best (2011), ICC Cricket Hall of Fame (2018)

My AIS Best of the Best 29 to 50

My selection criteria includes:

• gold, silver and bronze medals in significant international competitions – Olympics, Paralympics, World Championships/Cups
• length of international success
• length of captaincy of Australian teams
• impact on the sport in Australia particularly as a role model
• length of AIS scholarship
• recognition in national/international sport hall of fames or AIS Athlete of The Year awards

Ryan Bayley  OAM (AIS Track Cycling 2001-2009) International performances – Summer Olympics: 2 Gold (2004), World Championships: 1 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze (2001-2006), Commonwealth Games: 4 Gold (2002-2006) ; Recognition– Australian Male Track Cyclist of the Year (2001, 2004), Australian Cyclist of the Year (2004), Sport Australia Hall of Fame (2015), Cycling Australia Hall of Fame (2016)

Kim Brennan (nee Crow) OAM (AIS Rowing 2008-2013) International performances – Summer Olympics: 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze ( 20012-2016), World Championships: 2 Gold, 3 Silver, 1 Bronze (2006-2015) ; Recognition – Rowing Australia Female Athlete of the Year (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016),  AIS Athlete of the Year (2013),  FISA Female Athlete of the Year (2013), AIS Female Athlete of the Year (2016)

Belinda Clark  AO   (AIS Cricket 2002-2006) International performances –  Australian team: 134 caps (Tests, ODI, T20 – 1991-2005) & Captain (1994-2005) ; Recognition – Wisden Australia Cricketer of the Year (1998),  ICC Cricket Hall of Fame (2011), Sport Australia Hall of Fame (2011), Australian Cricket Hall of Fame (2014)

Alicia Coutts OAM (AIS Swimming 2006-2013) International performances – Summer Olympics: 1 Gold, 3 Silver, 1 Bronze (2012), World Championships LC – 7 Silver, 1 Bronze (2011-2013), Commonwealth Games: 8 Gold, 1 Silver (2014) ; Recognition – Australian Swimmer of the Year (2010, 2012), AIS Athlete of the Year (2012)

Nathan Deakes (AIS Athletics 1997-2012) International performances – Summer Olympics: 1 Bronze (2004) ; World Championships: 1 Gold (2007) ; Commonwealth Games: 4 Gold, 1 Bronze (1998-2002) ; Recognition – AIS Athlete of the Year (2007), Athletics Australia Male Athlete of the Year (2006, 2007)

Cadel Evans AM (AIS Mountain Biking 1995-2000) International performances – Tour de France: 1st (2011), 2nd (2007)  ; World Road Championships: 1 Gold (2009), Commonwealth Games: 1 Gold, 1 Silver (2002) ; Recognition – Australian Cyclist at the Year (2006, 2007, 2009, 2011 ) , Sport Australia Hall of Fame  The Don Award (2011),  Sport Australia Hall of Fame (2020)

Liz Ellis  AO (AIS Netball 1991-1992) International performances – Diamonds: 122 caps (1993-2007),Captain (2004-2007), World Championships: 3 Gold, 1 Silver (1995-2007), Commonwealth Games:  2 Gold, 1 Silver (1998-2006) ; Recognition – Australian Netball’s Most Valued Player (1996, 1998, 2002, 2006), Sport Australia Hall of Fame (2009), Netball Australia Hall of Fame (2011)

Jessica Fox (AIS Slalom Canoeing 2010-2013) International performances – Summer Olympics: 1 Silver, 1 Bronze (20012-2016), World Championships: 10 Gold, 3 Silver, 2 Bronze (2010-2019) ; Recognition: AIS Athlete of the Year (2014), Not retired

Heath Francis OAM (AIS Athletics 2003-2010) International performances – Summer Paralympics: 6 Gold, 4 Silver, 3 Bronze (2000-2008), World Championships: 4 Gold, 1 Silver ( 1998-2006), Commonwealth Games: 1 Gold (2006) ; Recognition – Athletics Australia Athlete with a Disability of the Year Award (2006)

George Gregan  AM (AIS Rugby Union 1993-1994) International performances – Wallabies: 139 caps Wallabies (1994-2007), Captain 2002-2007 (59 matches), World Cup: Champion (1999) & Runner-Up (2003) ; Recognition – Sport Australia Hall of Fame (2009), ACT Sport Hall of Fame (2014),  World Rugby Hall of Fame (2013), Wallaby Hall of Fame (2019)

Evan O’Hanlon OAM (AIS Athletics 2005-2013) International performances – Summer Paralympics: 5 Gold, 1 Silver (2008-2016), World Championships: 8 Gold, 1 Silver, 3 Bronze (2006-2019), Commonwealth Games: 1 Gold (2018) ; Recognition – AIS Junior Athlete of the Year (2008),  Athletics Australia’s Athlete of the Year – Male AWD (2008, 2013), Not retired

Mark Knowles OAM (AIS Hockey 2002-2013) International performances – Kookaburras: 325 Caps (2004-2018), Captain (2014-2018), Summer Olympics: 1 Gold, 2 Bronze (2004-2012), World Cup: 2 Gold, 1 Silver (2006-2014) Commonwealth Games:  4 Gold (2006-2018) ; Recognition – IHF Young Player of the Year (2007), FIH World Player of the Year (2014)

Lydia Lassila (née Ierodiaconou) OAM (AIS Aerial Skiing 2001-2013) International performances – Winter Olympics: 1 Gold, 1 Bronze (2002-2018), World Cup: 15 Gold, 16 Silver, 10 Bronze ; Recognition – AIS Athlete of the Year (2010),  Sport Australia Hall of Fame ‘The Don’ Award (2010), Ski and Snowboard Australia Athlete of the Year (2010)

Robbie McEwen AM (AIS Road Cycling 1994-1996) International Performances – Tour de France: 3 Green Jerseys (Points Classifications)& 12 stage wins, Giro d’Italia: 12 individual stages, World Road Championships: 1 Silver (2002) ; Recognition: Cycling Australia Male Cyclist of the Year (1999) , Australian Cyclist of the Year, (2002), .Cycling Australia Hall of Fame (2015), Sport Australia Hall of Fame (2019)

Patrick ‘Patty’ Mills (AIS Basketball 2004-2007) International performances – Summer Olympics: 3 (2008-2016) , World Championships/Cup: 2010, NBA Championship Title: 2014 ; Recognition – Gaze Medallist (2008, 2010), NCCA WCC Newcomer of the Year and All-Freshman Team (2008), Not retired

Matthew Mitcham OAM (AIS Diving 2003-2006) International Performances – Summer Olympics: 1 Gold (2008), World Championships: 1 Bronze (2009), Commonwealth Games;  1 Gold,  6 Silver (2010-2014) ; Recognition – Sport Australia Hall of Fame The Don Award (2008),  Sport Australia Hall of Fame (2020), International Swimming Hall of Fame (2020)

Lucas Neill (AIS Football 1994-1995) International performances – Socceroos: 96 caps (1996-2013), Captain (2006-2013 for 61 games), World Cups: 2006, 2010, Summer Olympics: 2000, Premier League: 279 Appearances for Three Clubs

Philippe Rizzo  (AIS Gymnastics 1995-2011) International performances – World Championships: 1 Gold, 1 Silver (2001-2004), Summer Universiade: 1 Gold (2001), Commonwealth Games: 3 Gold, 3 Silver, 3 Bronze (2002-2006), Summer Olympics: 2 (2004-2004) ; Recognition – AIS Athlete of the Year (2001, 2006) ; Gymnastics Australia Hall of Fame (2012)

Emma Snowsill OAM (AIS Triathlon 2001-2010) International performances – Summer Olympics: 1 Gold  (2008), World Championships: 3 Gold, 1 Silver (2003-2007), Commonwealth Games: 1 Gold (2006) ; Recognition – International Triathlon Union Hall of Fame (2015), Triathlon Australia Hall of Fame (2017), Sport Australia Hall of Fame (2019)

Jared Tallent OAM (AIS Athletics 2003-2013) International performances – Summer Olympics: 1 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze (2008-2016), World Championships: 3 Silver (2001-2015), Commonwealth Games: 1 Gold, 1 Bronze (2006-2010) ; Recognition – Athletics Australia Athlete of the Year (2012, 2016) ,Not retired

Penny Taylor (AIS Basketball 1997-1999) International performances – Summer Olympics: 2 Silver (2004-2016), World Championships: 1 Gold, 2 Bronze (2002-2014), WNBA Championships: 3 (2007, 2009, 2014) ; Recognition – WNBA All Star (2002, 2007, 2011)

Ken Wallace  OAM (AIS Canoeing 2002-2013) International performances – Summer Olympics: 1 Gold, 2 Bronze (2008-2016), World Championships: 6 Gold, 3 Silver, 1 Bronze (2009-2017) ; Recognition -AIS Athlete of the Year (2008)

The recognition of some of these athletes is currently limited as they are still competing or have recently retired and not eligible for halls of fame.

I found the task of selecting team athletes very difficult but athletes I selected in this category were often result of their captaincy, achievement in international leagues or their significant contribution to their sport.

Many Olympic and Paralympic individual and team member gold medallists are missing from the list of 50. My research indicates in the Summer/ Winter Olympics and Paralympics from 1984 to 2014 – 129 AIS athletes that took home an Olympic gold medal and 58 AIS athletes took home an Paralympic gold medal. All these athletes had AIS scholarship support (coaching, sports science/medicine, competitions/ career/education) in the devekopment of their career.

19 out 26 AIS sports are represented – those sports that missed out were boxing, volleyball, golf, softball, AFL and rugby league. However, these sports have had many high achievers on the international sporting stage. There are 29 men and 21 women and 5 Paralympic athletes on the list.

If you go back to 1981, I’m not sure if we would have predicted Olympic or world champions in archery, basketball, gymnastics, aerial skiing, diving, slalom canoeing, triathlon and road cycling.

Finally, in the early years of the AIS it was often referred to as a ‘gold medal factory” but a review of AIS sports and athlete performances over time should not be based solely on the Olympics or Paralympics performances. World Championships, World Cups and Commonwealth Games performances as well as athletes succesfully competing in major international leagues such as basketball’s NBA/WNBA, football’s EPL/FA Women’s League are just as important. For instance, when the Socceross qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup with eleven past scholarship athletes this generated enormous national excitement and national pride. The Matildas qualifications and performances now have the same impact.

The range of athlete achievement listed above demonstrates that the AIS achieved its original objective to provide a pathway for Australian athletes to reach their potential in the international sporting arena. Their success on the international sporting stage has contributed to national inspiration and pride.