Category: History
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Power of understanding political processes and lobbying in Australian sport – insights from Greg Hartung’s career in sport administration
By Greg Blood Greg Hartung’s career in journalism and then in sport administration highlights the need for senior Australian sport leaders to understand political processes to obtain the desired outcomes for their organisation and sport. This is important for both big and small national sports organisations (NSO) as they rely heavily on Australian Government funding…
australiansportreflections
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Revisiting Olympic Athlete Program & Paralympic Preparation Program (1994-2000)
By Greg Blood It is worthwhile revisiting the Olympic Athlete Program (OAP) and Paralympic Preparation Program (PPP) with the strong likelihood of Brisbane and South East Queensland hosting the 2032 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. These Australian Government funding programs led to Australia having its most successful Summer Olympics and Paralympics to date. Besides the Australia’s…
australiansportreflections
Australian Institute of Sport, Australian Olympic Committee, Australian Sports Commission, Author – Greg Blood, Coaching, Evaluation and Review, Funding, Governance, Government Policy, High Performance Sport, History, Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Paralympics Australia, Politics, Sport Science, Sports Medicine, Talent Development -
Further reflections on the Australian Institute of Sport – a national ‘living’ icon.
By Ron Harvey CVO AM – 3rd Director of the AIS (1987-1989) My recent article AIS – a national living icon and recent reflections by early AIS staff and athletes made me look back to Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser’s comments when he opened the AIS in 1981- “Coaches and athletes working together through this institute,…
australiansportreflections
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AIS support of regional athletes 1981 to 2013
By Greg Blood The establishment of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in 1981 has greatly assisted in regional athletes being significant contributors to the success of Australia in international sporting arena. In recent years, on a voluntary basis, I have created alumni websites for six AIS inaugural sports – athletics, basketball, men’s football, netball, gymnastics and…
australiansportreflections
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My 50 ‘Best of the Best’ Australian Institute of Sport Scholarship Athletes
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…
australiansportreflections
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Australian Institute of Sport – a national ‘living’ icon
Reflections by Ron Harvey CVO AM – 3rd Director of the AIS (1987-1989) With the passing of Don Talbot this year, I am the oldest living AIS Director and I thought it worthwhile to reflect on the AIS with its 40th anniversary on Australia Day. For over 40 years, I held senior Federal Government positions…
australiansportreflections
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Australian Sport in 2020 – ‘Unprecedented’ Year for Sport Administrators
by Greg Blood Australian sport administrators have been under enormous stress during 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other issues. It is worthwhile to briefly document the many challenges managed during this ‘unprecedented’ year’. Sports Rorts The year started with the Australian National Audit Office report into Sport Australia’s Community Sport Infrastructure Program that…
australiansportreflections
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Australian Sports Deaths 2020
by Greg Blood 2020 has seen the passing of many notable Australian athletes, coaches and administrators. Below is a list of Australians that have made a significant contribution to Australian and international sport. For a more comprehensive list visit Wikipedia’s Deaths of 2020. The deaths of Don Talbot and Peter Bowman greatly saddened me as…
australiansportreflections
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Australian Institute of Sport alumni inducted into Sport Australia Hall of Fame – Who be in a list of Best 40 Athletes 1981-2013 ?
by Greg Blood Many Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) alumni have been inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame since 2000. To celebrate the AIS 40th anniversary on 26 January 2021, I am aiming to compile a list of the Best 40 AIS athletes to celebrate this important occasion. Recently the Sport Australia Hall…
australiansportreflections
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Vale Don Talbot AO OBE – reflecting on his contribution to the Australian Institute of Sport and high performance sport
by Greg Blood You will see many wonderful and deserving tributes on the late Don Talbot’s swimming coaching career but I would like to focus on his contribution to high performance sport in Australia, particularly the development of the Australian Institute of Sport. Many will know that John Bloomfield’s 1973 report The Role, Scope and Development of…
australiansportreflections