Category: High Performance Sport
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Can we finally have the future of the AIS in Canberra settled?
By Greg Blood The Albanese government has announced an independent review to determine the future of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra. Since Australia’s Winning Edge 2012-2022, the AIS in Canberra has been in limbo – that’s ten years. The review apparently will be finished by the end of the year. It is…
australiansportreflections
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It’s Time for Participation to Receive its Fair Share of the Sports Funding Pie
Greg Blood The cost-of-living crisis in Australia has the likelihood of decreasing participation in sport and fitness activities. This follows on from the impact of COVID on sport participation. Traditionally Federal Government funding has been directed more heavily towards high performance i.e., success of Australian athletes and teams on the international sporting arena. Is it…
australiansportreflections
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My career in sport information and sport history: reflecting on the AIS and ASC’s long-time support for the provision of access to sport knowledge to the Australian sport sector.
Greg Blood My induction into the University of Canberra Sport Walk of Fame has made me reflect on the long-time support of the Australian Institute of Sport and Australian Sports Commission to sport information in Australia. Like many children growing up in Australia, I developed an early interest in sport and tried many sports before…
australiansportreflections
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Vale Bob Ellicott AC KC – Fraser Government Minister Responsible for Establishing the Australian Institute of Sport
By Greg Blood Prime Minister Malcom Fraser in late 1978 transferred the sport function to the Dept of Home Affairs under Minister Bob Ellicott. Fraser told Ellicott to “do something about sport” after Australia’s poor performances at the 1976 Olympics and 1978 Commonwealth Games. Greg Hartung in reviewing Ellicott’s period as minister stated he “left…
australiansportreflections
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History of Elite Australian Coaches Working Overseas
By Greg Blood After the 2000 Olympics and Paralympics, there was some anxiety in the Australian sport system concerning the brain drain of elite Australian coaches. In 2006, it was reported that the AIS would spend “almost $5 million over the next four years to fend off international poachers intent on cherry-picking Australia’s best coaches”.…
australiansportreflections
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Short History of Australian Elite Coaches Transitioning to High Performance Management
By Greg Blood The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) prior to the cessation of sports programs in 2013 frequently facilitated AIS coaches in transferring into its high performance management areas. It should be remembered that the inaugural AIS Director Don Talbot had an extensive swimming coaching career in Australia, Canada and the United States prior…
australiansportreflections
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Who would be an Australian sport administrator today?
By Greg Blood Who would be a sport administrator – paid or volunteer these days? Sport administration has never been so complex and demanding. Recently I participated in a future of sport in Australia research project and my main thesis was that it may be difficult to attract and retain qualified and experienced sports administrators…
australiansportreflections
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Paralympians Join the Mainstream – Australian Paralympic Committee Brings in Reform Across Sport
History of Australian Sport Policy Series: Part 23 By Greg Hartung AO “Mainstreaming” was a fundamental and necessary policy reform on the long journey to win durable outcomes for athletes with a disability and the Paralympic movement. Designed and promoted by the Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) in the period before and after the Sydney 2000…
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From Sporting Cripples to Powerful Advocates – How the Paralympic Movement Arrived at its Alcott Moment.
By Greg Blood and Tony Naar The announcement of Dylan Alcott as 2022 Australian of the Year is a significant milestone. Alcott became the first Australian with a visible disability to be awarded this honour. Not only that, but Alcott is a Paralympian, the first to be honoured as Australian of the Year in the…
australiansportreflections
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Australian Paralympic Mob at Tokyo 2020: Review of Performances, Funding and Contribution to Sport and Society
By Greg Blood Australian Paralympic Mob’s successful but extremely challenging Tokyo campaign has finished. Their journeys were well told by the media during the Games. It is worthwhile reflecting on their performances, funding and future development. In a previous article, I outlined the Australian Government’s contribution to Tokyo 2020 Australian Olympic and Paralympic Teams. Funding…
australiansportreflections