By Greg Blood

The Independent Review Report highlights the reasons for the  249.7 million investment into the “spine of Australian sport – the AIS in Canberra.

The last major investment into AIS facilities in Canberra was in the 2002 Howard Government budget where  $65 million was allocated over six years for the development of – new accommodation building, new high performance 50m swimming pool, recovery facilities and expanded sports science and medicine building. These new facilities were completed by mid-2007. One of the important features of the Independent Review Report was the documentation of the development all AIS facilities since 1977 – it highlighted issues with several of the original buildings particularly the AIS residences and gymnastics training.

Since Australia’s Winning Edge 2012-2022, there has been considerable debate over the future of the AIS in Canberra. Particularly as this policy led to the AIS discontinuing residential scholarship programs in Canberra. From my viewpoint, this led to the AIS in Canberra being often referred to as a ‘ghost’ town and no real investment into its facilities. During this period, the Coalition Government (2013-2022) did not seem want to invest into AIS facilities as its future role and support from sport was unclear.

What led to this new investment?

• Strong representation from ACT Labor federal representatives and independent senator David Pocock.
• Debate on whether the AIS should move to Southeast Queensland in the lead up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics.
• Recognition by National institute Network (NIN) members and many national sports organisations of the importance of a national training centre.

I was concerned about the short period that the Independent Review had to report back to the Albanese Government and whether it would be another review that would not be acted upon. I made a submission to the Independent Review based on an article I had previously published and was contacted by its secretariat for historical information on the AIS development and its impact.

My submission focused on:

• Development of innovative training facilities for existing and emerging acrobatic sports – gymnastics, skateboarding, snow sports, surfing, BMX.
• Para athlete training and research centre.
• National training centre for team sports.
• Accommodation and training facilities to meet the requirements of Para athletes and team sports – the original AIS Residence did not meet the requirements for those with a disability.
• Bob Ellicott, Minister for Sport responsible for establishing the AIS, argued that the AIS needed to be in Canberra so as ‘to give it a national character’.

The Albanese Government’s pre-budget announcement of 249.7 million on 10 May 2024 adopts most of the major recommendations of the Independent Review Report – often government’s reject recommendations or put them of the backburner. Also, many of these valuable and informative reviews never see the light of day.

So, what were the reasons for the Independent Review recommending the revitalisation of the AIS in Canberra.

• AIS critical for smaller or emerging sports.
• National training and research environment for para athletes – building on the AIS support for Para athletes since its establishment in 1981.
• Team sports arguing that the AIS was an optimum environment for training camps – accommodation, facilities and sports science and medicine support onsite. There is no other training centre that offers these services in Australia. Also several sports highlighted how the AIS residences provided athletes with the ability to mix with other sports like an Olympic or Paralympic village.
• National Institute Network (NIN) supporting the role of the AIS in Canberra as the “spine” of the Australian high performance sport system.
• Cost of relocation to Southeast Queensland – the Queensland Government unwilling to fund the relocation.

The Independent Review Report suggested the AIS could be utilised by new clients:

• Defence athletes including Invictus Games participants.
• Oceania athletes and teams
• International local professional sports teams and athletes
• ACT sport centres for excellence i.e. Capital Football

Interestingly, international sports teams and athletes were frequent visitors to the AIS up until 2000. I remember many world class European track and field athletes training at the AIS during the 1980’s. Also, many Oceania athletes trained at the AIS in the lead up to the Sydney Olympics.

I often see reports that the Socceroos want a high performance training centre funded by government. Why would government fund this facility when the AIS in Canberra is available for the camps in Canberra ?.

Independent Review Report provided valuable information on National institute Network (NIN) athletes, facilities and services and major international sports training centres.

The Albanese Government will fund three new facilities based on the Independent Review:

• an accessible multi-story accommodation facility.
• A multi sports dome to provide an all-weather, multi-sport indoor training facility with integrated facilities for testing and analysis.
• A new High-Performance Training and Testing Centre.

There is also $10 million for the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts develop a Bruce Precinct Masterplan – particularly related GIO Stadium (Bruce Stadium).

It is good to see the AIS Residences and AIS Gymnastics Hall being demolished as these have developed many significant issues after 40 years of use and held together by “band aids”. The Australian Sports Commission still owns major spectator facilities the Bruce Stadium and AIS Arena – decisions need to be made whether the ASC should own these facilities.

As one who has argued for many years for the revitalisation of the AIS in Canberra, new facilities are only the start of rebuilding the AIS as world leading high performance centre. It should also include:

• Rebuilding a culture of excellence at the AIS Canberra – the original culture of excellence involved “how can we help” but not “it will cost you”. It was about versatility and innovation not bureaucracy. Sports needed to be encouraged to view the AIS in Canberra as”the place” to utilise for camps or residential programs.
• Reducing the number of AIS staff now located outside Canberra – the AIS was built on developing personal and work relationships and this was achieved by all administrative and sports science and medicine staff working in Canberra and interacting personally daily. The ultimate commitment to the AIS was to move to Canberra.
• There needs to be an optimum number of residential athletes and coaches at the AIS in Canberra – they will help drive the ‘daily’ culture of excellence. It is often difficult for visiting athletes and teams to drive the ‘daily’ culture of excellence.

Sport in Australia is generally bipartisan and the AIS in Canberra has benefitted through – Fraser and Hawke Governments committing and funding the AIS in the 1980’s, Howard Government’s investments in the early 2000’s and Albanese Government 2024 revitalisation investment.

Postscript – currently researching every Australian prime minister and their “real’ interest in sport and contribution through government policy. Interestingly Hawke, Howard and Albanese have had a strong interest in sport prior to entering parliament.