Category: High Performance Sport
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Australian Prime Ministers and Sport Series – Malcolm Fraser
MALCOLM FRASER AC CH PC – – LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA 22nd Prime Minister – 1975-1983 Malcolm Fraser had a significant impact on Australian sport through investing in high performance sport for the first time through establishing the Australian Institute of Sport and upholding the Gleneagles Agreement that discouraged sporting contacts with South Africa. His…
australiansportreflections
Australian Institute of Sport, Australian Prime Ministers and Sport Series, Author – Greg Blood, Commonwealth Games, Fraser Government, Funding, Government Policy, High Performance Sport, History, Minister – Bob Ellicott, Minister for Sport – Ian Wilson, Minister for Sport – Kevin Newman, Olympic Games, Politics -
Forging Champions : a review
By Greg Blood The recent documentary Forging Champions has shone a light on several outstanding Australian athletes assisted by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) that have had significant success on the world sporting stage. This review examines themes, messages and omissions from the documentary. I had a small involvement at the early stages of…
australiansportreflections
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Vale Jim Ferguson (1940-2026) – Australian Sports Commission’s Longest Serving Chief Executive Officer (1990-2000)
By Greg Blood Jim Ferguson played a significant role in the development of the Australian sport system in the lead up to the 2000 Sydney Olympic and Paralympic Games. He was the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) from June 1990 to December 2000. Prior to his appointment to the ASC, Ferguson…
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History of State Institute / Academy of Sport (SIS/SAS) Directors – Updated February 2026
By Greg Blood Longevity is a hallmark in the history of SIS/SAS directors and they have covered many areas of sport expertise – elite athletes, coaches, sports science/medicine professionals and sport/government administrators. The establishment of SIS/SAS commenced shortly after the Australian Institute of Sport (1981). South Australia was first with SASI in 1982 followed by Western…
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Federal and State Governments funding of AFL and NRL High Performance Training Centres – Updated 17 April 2026
By Greg Blood This is an update of research originally published in April 2019. It highlights how the majority of professional AFL and NRL clubs have now received substantial federal and state government funding to develop their high-performance training centres. The 2019 federal election was a high-water mark in funding commitments – a period where…
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Re-elected Albanese Government: Reflecting on Upcoming Sport Issues from a Historical Perspective
By Greg Blood The return of the Albanese government has led to the reappointment of Anika Wells as the Minister for Sport and new Minister for Communications and the move of sport functions to Dept. of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts. This article reflects on these changes from an historical and…
australiansportreflections
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Reflecting on David Crawford’s Contribution to the Australian Sport System
By Greg Blood The recent passing of David Crawford AO made me reflect on four sport reviews that he authored or chaired that have impacted on sport in Australia. For many of those that worked in sports administration from 1990 to 2011, the name David Crawford became synonymous with sport governance and the organisation of…
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Movement of Australian Olympic and Paralympic Athletes Between Nations : Historical Insights
By Greg Blood The movement of 2024 triple Olympic medallist Matthew Richardson to Great Britain has been scrutinised in the media and social media. Richardson’s move is relatively rare for an Australian high performing Olympic and Paralympic athlete. It is important to recognise Australian sport has greatly benefited from athletes from competitor nations transferring to…
australiansportreflections
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Coaches of Australian 2024 Summer Olympic Medallists
By Greg Blood Previously coaches of Australian medallists at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics was published. This list recognises Australian coaching success at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Deservedly athletes receive great recognition and adultation but it is important to recognise coaches who play an important role in athlete success and assist in moving their sport forward.…
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Characteristics of the 2024 Australian Olympic Team: age, gender, experience, longevity, location, education, indigenous, family and direct athlete support
By Greg Blood This article endeavours to provide insights into the 2024 Australian Olympic Team. Olympian characteristics provide insights into the Olympian “runway”, their likely period in competing at the highest level and their likely employment post their Olympic athletic career. With Brisbane being selected to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we frequently…
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