Category: History
-
Play Well Strategy- a New Journey in Sport Participation in Australia
By Greg Blood Play Well is the latest Australian Sports Commission (ASC) attempt at improving sports participation in Australia. Its worthwhile reflecting on its journey to this strategy. Play Well (Pdf) is stated as Australia’s first co-designed Sport Participation Strategy. It was co-designed with major players in the sport sector.Play Well covers all the areas…
australiansportreflections
-
Australian Prime Ministers and Sport Series – William McMahon
By Greg Blood SIR WILLIAM McMAHON GCMG CH PC – LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA 20th Prime Minister: 1971-1972 William ‘Billy’ McMahon was prime minister for just under 2 years and his government had to manage the controversial tour of the 1971 South African rugby union team. There was increasing opposition in Australia to the racially…
australiansportreflections
-
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
-
Australian Prime Ministers and Sport Series – Joseph Lyons
By Greg Blood JOSEPH ALOYSIUS LYONS CH – AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY / UNITED AUSTRALIA PARTY 10th Prime Minister: 1932-1939 Joseph ‘Joe’ Lyons was prime minister during a significant period of the Great Depression where sport played a role in distracting the Australian community from the day-to-day cost of living pressures and high levels of unemployment. The…
australiansportreflections
-
Australian Prime Ministers and Sport Series – Gough Whitlam
by Greg Blood EDWARD “GOUGH” WHITLAM AC QC – AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY 21st Prime Minister: 1972-1975 Gough Whitlam had a limited interest in sport as a participant and spectator but he understood the role that sport could play in Australian society at a time where there was increasing leisure time. His government can be considered…
australiansportreflections
-
Stocktake of Australian sport Presidents/Chairs 2000-2023 – Updated 28 November 2023
By Greg Blood National Sports Organisation (NSO) Presidents/Chairs these days frequently have to manage crises in their sport. Following on from my recent stocktake of NSO CEO’s, I have drawn up a list of NSO Presidents/Chairs since 2000 to recognise their service to the Australian sport system. The complexity of the role of the modern day…
australiansportreflections
-
Why does the Australian Government invest in sport ? One answer is national pride.
By Greg Blood Why does the Australian Government invest in sport? There are many reasons but the Maltidas performances at the home FIFA Women’s World Cup is an example of sport and its impact on nationalism or national pride. I’m currently researching Australian prime ministers and sport and found that most of them understood that…
australiansportreflections
-
It’s Time for National Sports Organisations to Invest in Their History – Before It’s Too Late
By Greg Blood National sports organisations (NSOs) need to lift their game in managing their information and other resources that tell the story of their sport and athletes in Australia. In recent years, NSOs have established virtual halls of fame and promoted significant historical events to recognise their development in Australia. These initiatives help to…
australiansportreflections
-
History of Leadership – Chairs, CEOs, Head Coaches and Captains in Eighteen AFL Clubs : Examining Stability and Diversity -Updated 1 October 2023
By Greg Blood This article documents the leadership timeline of the 18 clubs in the Australian Football League (AFL) that was established in 1990. Leadership is documented in terms of – presidents/chairs, CEOs, head coaches and captains to examine issues such as stability and diversity in relation to success . I have previously documented national…
australiansportreflections
-
Long-term Plan for Major Sports Facilities in Canberra – Time to Stop the Band-aid Approach
By Greg Blood Canberra is at a critical time in relation to the future planning and investment in major sports facilities. A great deal of media and public discussion and several reports have been narrowly focussed on an outdoor stadium in the city. But there is also lobbying for housing at Thoroughbred Park, possible development…
australiansportreflections