Australian Institute Of Sport

Supporting athletes ✅ Performance optimisation ✅ Strategic insight ✅ Competitive equipment ✅ Better practice ✅ We have released our new National Science and Research Priorities for High Performance Sport to help guide science, research and innovation initiatives ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games 📖 Supporting athletes and sports to win well, the priorities target training and competition environments, equipment design and optimisation, athlete performance and wellbeing, and evidence-based innovations for high-functioning performance teams. “These science and research priorities will drive innovation in science and research for the Australian HP sport system,” Australian Sports Commission Executive General Manager of AIS Performance Matti Clements said. “The National Science and Research Priorities for High Performance Sport underscore our commitment to world-leading knowledge and practice,” AIS Chief Science Officer Paolo Menaspà said. “By fostering high-quality research and scientific endeavours, we support Australian athletes and teams for sustained success on the global stage.”

From the top step in Paris to the AIS Accelerate Program. 2024 Paris Olympic Games Gold medalist Grace Brown is joining 11 fellow retired athletes from seven sports to take part in the fifth edition of AIS Accelerate, a career development and networking program to help former female athletes move into a new role in sport. Since the inaugural program in 2021, more than 80 Olympians, Paralympians, World Champions and Commonwealth Games athletes from 32 sports have been part of AIS Accelerate, including Australian Olympic Chef de Mission Anna Meares, tennis star-turned-commentator Casey Dellacqua, and Paris 2024 gold medallist Emily Petricola.

We are proud to be partnering with Paralympics Australia to evolve the national classification system to remove bottlenecks and support sports and athletes. #ParaUplift Series Part 3 - What is the Nationalised Classification? Paralympics Australia will lead a connected network of classification personnel to encourage sharing and collective implementation of best practice classification practices. This comes as a result of the 'Understanding Barriers to Entry and Progression in the High Performance Pathways for Para Athletes' report, which revealed that 53% of athletes and 59% role holders believed the current classification system to be difficult to understand. This report recommended that classification be recognised, positioned and resourced as a key driver for Para-sport participation and performance across the Australian sport system. ▶️ The Para Uplift vision is to create an inclusive and equitable high performance sports system where Para athletes can fully realise their potential and unite, inspire, and motivate Australians for generations to come. More https://lnkd.in/gVNndZ8C #Brisbane2032 | Victorian Institute of Sport - NSW Institute of Sport - Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) - South Australian Sports Institute - Western Australian Institute of Sport - Tasmanian Institute of Sport - ACT Academy of Sport

36 of Australia's top high performance coaches mentoring 40 emerging coaches ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games. Plus a record number of coaches taking part in 2025. ⤵️ #theAIS High Performance Mentorship Program

Introducing Australia's first gold-tier status university, QUT (Queensland University of Technology). The gold, silver and bronze ratings have been introduced under the Elite Sport Education Network (ESEN) to help athletes, coaches and staff balance a career in sport while pursuing higher education. The ESEN is comprised of #theAIS-endorsed universities, TAFEs and other education providers who have committed to supporting elite athletes, coaches and officials for the duration of their course of study.

Current and future Paralympians have been given a financial boost as part of our goal to make Brisbane 2032 the country’s most successful ever Games 📈 The AIS Para Athlete Barrier Fund will provide up to $4000 per eligible athlete to compete against the world’s best, assist with training or go towards carer support costs 🤝 Minister for Sport, The Hon Anika Wells, made the announcement while meeting with Para athletes in Darwin, with the new grant part of the Australian Government’s record $54.9 million investment in Paralympic sport – doubling previous funding – ahead of Brisbane 2032. “Australia’s Para athletes have never been better supported thanks to the Albanese Government’s historic investment in Para sport," Minister Wells said. “We’ve heard from our athletes the challenges they face in reaching their potential and the AIS Para Athlete Barrier Fund will provide immediate support where it’s needed most as we look ahead to our home Games in Brisbane." Australian Sports Commission Executive General Manager of AIS Performance Matti Clements said the AIS Para Athlete Barrier Fund was born from the nation’s biggest ever Para system survey, which identified a range of barriers stopping athletes reaching their medal potential. “Our athletes are at the heart of all that we do and when they told us what they needed to realise their full potential and win well, we not only listened but acted,” Ms Clements said. “Australian sport is united in making our Para facilities and athlete support world’s best and I would like to thank the Australian Government for their ongoing commitment to our current and future Paralympians. Applications for our Para Athlete Barriers Grant are now open and close Monday 5 May, head over to the Grants and Funding page on our website to get all the info and apply ✅

"It's a pivotal moment to be involved in Para sport and disability sport more broadly, with so much opportunity and a real willingness to collaborate, learn and grow together across the high performance sport system.” #ParaUplift Series Part 2 - what is a Multi-Sport Para Unit? Multi-sport para units will provide additional opportunities for people with a disability to be discovered and provide world-class services that support athletes on their pathway from identification through to the Paralympics and Commonwealth Games. Eight units will serve as an entry point to the high performance sport system, with each unit responsible for identifying, recruiting and supporting Para athletes in their state. 🟡 8 Multi sport Para units across Australia 🟢 Unit Leads plus Coaching & Performance Support in each state 🟡 800 additional para athletes supported The units will be closely supported by four-time Paralympian Mitch Gourley as the AIS National Unit Lead. ▶️ The Para Uplift vision is to create an inclusive and equitable high performance sports system where Para athletes can fully realise their potential and unite, inspire, and motivate Australians for generations to come. More https://lnkd.in/gVNndZ8C #Brisbane2032 | Paralympics Australia Victorian Institute of Sport NSW Institute of Sport South Australian Sports Institute Western Australian Institute of Sport Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) Tasmanian Institute of Sport ACT Academy of Sport Northern Territory Government

29 coaches from 24 sports have begun their two-year National Generation 2032 apprenticeship. The program, run in partnership with national sporting organisations and the National Institute Network, increases the number and diversity of coaches in Australian sport. To kick-start their two-year apprenticeship within the nation’s leading sporting programs, the coaches came together for a week-long workshop in Sydney, which involved sessions with the Sydney Swans and NSW Police Force and a focus on wellbeing, self-awareness and connection. #Gen32Coach #theAIS https://lnkd.in/gt-2FmDX

Produced in collaboration with Paralympics Australia and the Australian Olympic Committee, the Beyond the Games Podcast series helps athletes navigate career transitions after a Games cycle. With insights from experts and experienced athletes, it provides tools for success in life and sport, aligning with Australian sport’s vision to win well. The Beyond the Games Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts or you can watch episodes ⤵️

Our vision is to create an inclusive and equitable high performance sports system where Para athletes can fully realise their potential and unite, inspire, and motivate Australians for generations to come. ▶️ Introducing Para Uplift Currently, there are barriers within the high performance sport system that make it harder for athletes with a disability to get involved in sport, progress through sport to a high performance level and to finish on the podium. A landmark report, titled “Understanding Barriers to Entry and Progression in the High Performance Pathways for Para Athletes” identified 160 systemic barriers, which will be addressed through increased funding to national sporting organisations (NSO), a nationalised classification system, SIS/SAS Multi sport para units, coach developments, an equipment enhancement fund, and direct-to-athlete grants. In our new #ParaUplift series, we will outline these projects and initiatives that will create the change that the system and Para athletes need. More via https://lnkd.in/gVNndZ8C #Brisbane2032 | Paralympics Australia