Media Releases - 1996

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MEDIA RELEASE

18th December, 1996

FOUR NEW SPORTS COME UNDER AIS BANNER

Australia's build up for the Sydney 2000 Olympics has been given a boost with the inclusion of four new sports at the Australian Institute of Sport.

Triathlon, shooting, archery and boxing are the new sports to be embraced by the AIS and will be given much needed impetus in their development towards Sydney 2000.

The Director of the AIS, John Boultbee, said the introduction of the new sports was in recognition of their progress and success. Mr. Boultbee said the sports had shown they were on the right track with their administration and programs and deserved the opportunity to capitalise on this.

"The inclusion of these four sports further supports the AIS quest for excellence and this decision will provide enhanced coaching and training opportunities for these elite sports men and women," he said.

Australia is regarded as a world force in triathlon, as reflected in the recent OAP funding. Australia is currently ranked first in the world in both men's and women's triathlon and the prospects of bringing home medals in the inaugural Olympic triathlon event in 2000 are extremely good.

The triathlon program will be based at Thredbo where 10 athletes will live in when they are not competing nationally or internationally.

New facilities to accommodate the archery program are being developed on site at the AIS including suitable indoor facilities for winter conditions. With its inclusion in the AIS, the women's program has enormous potential for development and success over the next four years.

Shooting - with two Atlanta gold medals - has proven its ability to produce winners and has been brought into the AIS program following the sport's exceptional results. Twelve athletes in two disciplines are expected to make use of the AIS scholarship program and all will live in for the first six months. Full time specialist coaches in clay target and pistol categories will be appointed along with the national head coach.

The Australian Boxing Federation is currently in the process of appointing a national coach who will oversee a series of boxing camps through the AIS. Athletes will be invited to these camps several times a year and the number of participants will vary from camp to camp.

Both the men's and women's volleyball programs will be re-established in Canberra where they will gain greater benefit from access to facilities such as the sports science and medical centre.

The women's program is currently based in Perth while the men are in Sydney.

**********

Contact:
 
Margaret Pierce
Australian Institute of Sport
06 252 1476
 
Allan Yates
Australian Institute of Sport
06 252 1207

MEDIA RELEASE

5 December 1996

ASC FINE TUNES FUNDING FOR SYDNEY 2000 OLYMPIC ATHLETE PREPARATION

The Chairman of the Australian Sports Commission, Mike Fitzpatrick, today announced details of funding decisions flowing from the recently concluded review of Olympic sports in the lead up to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

Mr Fitzpatrick said that the Federal Governments Olympic Athlete Program (OAP), which was providing an additional $135 million over six years to Olympic sports, was now two years into its cycle and it was timely for the Commission to review the status and progress of sports high performance programs.

He said that, over the past six months, the Australian Institute of Sport, in close consultation with national sporting organisations (NSO), state and territory institutes and academies of sport and the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), had undertaken a comprehensive analysis of each sports high performance program in the context of performance targets set when OAP funding came on stream from 1 July 1994.

Some sports had achieved their targets and were able to demonstrate strong possibilities of success in Sydney, while others were not, Mr Fitzpatrick said.

The overall aim is to ensure that the OAP funding is being used to ensure the best possible result in Sydney.

The review took into consideration the historical and current performance (including but not only the Atlanta Olympics), the quality of the sports high performance infrastructure, coaching, use of sports science and technology, program management and the level of athlete talent within each sport.

As a result, sports were classified into three categories. Category 1 sports are those that are achieving performance targets and are likely to be successful in Sydney. Category 2 sports are those which are good prospects which have not yet achieved performance targets and Category 3 sports are those which are less likely to be high achievers in 2000.

It is recognised that over the next few years sports may well move from one category to another and the plan allows flexibility for this.

The review recommendations come into effect from 1 January 1997 (sports have received maintenance funding in the period July to December 1996). All summer Olympic sports have been advised of their funding allocations to 30 June 1998.

In additon to the funds provided directly to the sports, a further $4.5 million will be provided to the athletes in each of the next four years through sports science/medicine support, direct athlete support and athlete career and education services.

The OAP will continue to be closely monitored, including a less formal review late in 1997/98 to ensure that sports are on track. Decisions of funding for 1998/99 and 1999/2000 will then be made.

Details of the categories and the funding allocations for 1995/96, 1996/97 and 1997/98 are attached.

AUSTRALIAN SPORTS COMMISSION ALLOCATIONS TO OLYMPIC SPORTS

SPORT

1995/96

1996/97

1997/98
 

$

$

$

Archery

280,980

361,390

500,000

Athletics

3,853,760

3,113,996

3,090,300

Badminton

405,400

244,960

276,310

Baseball

1,606,600

1,204,450

1,000,000

Basketball

2,457,159

2,528,106

2,728,706

Boxing

235,180

222,360

259,640

Canoeing

2,065,485

1,629,157

1,733,555

Cycling

3,786,149

2,968,466

3,240,307

Diving

813,134

625,771

500,000

Equestrian

1,161,320

858,930

1,322,740

Fencing

386,000

134,500

107,000

Gymnastics

2,289,907

1,749,323

1,269,448

Handball

424,520

129,900

-

Hockey (Men's)

1,524,719

1,613,869

1,834,798

Hockey (Women's)

1,586,102

1,637,766

1,921,940

Judo

514,000

329,310

351,440

Modern Pentathlon

119,620

55,150

48,000

Rowing

3,700,534

3,655,726

3,967,040

Shooting

834,082

962,520

1,314,340

Soccer (Men's)

1,563,430

1,366,061

1,264,504

Soccer (Women's)

751,500

835,000

1,000,000

Softball

1,305,200

1,233,693

1,460,743

Swimming

3,399,756

3,262,940

4,016,412

Synchronised Swimming

251,000

215,060

235,800

Table Tennis

407,000

323,810

362,240

Taekwondo

276,000

367,500

500,000

Tennis

1,200,395

961,265

761,765

Triathlon

402,040

615,745

663,250

Volleyball

1,902,210

1,349,767

1,549,647

Water Polo

1,587,259

1,493,272

1,467,872

Weightlifting

533,940

342,170

364,000

Wrestling

486,500

500,750

455,000

Yachting

1,112,100

1,011,950

1,249,800
Contact:
Allan Yates
Media and Public Relations
018 867 326
06 252 1295

5 December 1996


 MEDIA RELEASE

5 December 1996

VOLUNTEERS THE WINNERS IN VIP AWARDS

The embattled Australian Rugby League has had a big win, courtesy of its traditional grass-roots support base - the volunteers.

The ARL is one of four major award winners at this year's third annual Volunteer Involvement Program (VIP) National Recognition Awards, presented by the Minister for Sport, Local Government and Territories, Warwick Smith, in a ceremony at Parliament House Canberra today.

The VIP awards recognise the invaluable contribution made by volunteers to sport at all levels. The VIP is a national program run by the Australian Sports Commission, the Confederation of Australian Sport, the Australian Society of Sports Administrators and State Departments of Sport and Recreation.

The ARL received the national organisation award for its ongoing commitment to volunteer development from the club level through to national teams and competitions. The other award winners are:

Mr Smith acknowledged the outstanding work of volunteers in organising and developing Australian sport, sporting clubs and sportspeople.

"Without volunteers, we would not enjoy the rich sporting fabric that is so much a part of Australian character and society," the Minister said.

"Our volunteers are the first to arrive and the last to leave sporting events.

"They train our children, they work in canteens and tuckshops, they sell tickets, they prepare playing fields and courts, they get the teams and athletes out on the track - they are the lifeblood of Australian sport.

"These awards and the award winners go a small way towards recognising that massive contribution."

More than 200 sporting organisations were nominated for this year's VIP awards, with the four winners receiving $1000 each.

Two other nominees - the 1996 Australian Universities Games and Queensland Little Athletics Association - were also highly commended by the judging panel.

The VIP encourages and provides support for organisations to promote excellence in volunteer management policy and practices.

* * * * * * *

Contact:
Dianne Cowan
VIP
(06) 252 1445
Allan Yates
ASC
(06) 252 1207
(018) 632 951

MEDIA RELEASE

28 November 1996

ACE UP THE SLEEVE FOR AUSTRALIAN ATHLETES

Australian athletes preparing for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games will have an ACE up their sleeves in the form of a ground-breaking program to provide them with vocational training to complement their training both during and after their athletic careers.

The Athlete Career and Education Program - a program of the Australian Institute of Sport in conjunction with the Victorian Institute of Sport and Western Melbourne Institute of TAFE - has developed a world first for the managers of our high performance athletes.

The Graduate Certificate in Athlete Career and Education Management will provide a professional development training program for those people who support the professional and personal development of Australia's elite athletes.

The Graduate Certificate is designed to develop career skills to support high performance athletes taking into account their heavy training and competition commitments. It has been developed in consultation with athletes, coaches, sporting organisations and educational institutions, and is accredited by the Office of Training and Further Education (OTFE).

The course will provide education for managers on how best to manage athletes - it will complement existing ACE training programs for athletes.

The purpose of the course is to develop professional skills to support high performance athletes faced with the daunting task of balancing the immediate demands of training and competition while trying to deal with professional issues now and in the future.

AIS Director John Boultbee said the ACE Graduate Certificate was a world first in that it was providing professional skills to complement the athlete's own training regime.

"Our experience shows that athletes perform better when they have a balanced life and this means providing for their professional and career needs as well as their sporting and training requirements," Mr Boultbee said.

"Athletes have to cope with constant change in their lives - in many cases operating with an awareness that injury or loss of form will see their careers lost or destroyed.

"The confidence that is provided by developing professional skills certainly can improve the athlete's outlook on life and, consequently, their own sporting performances."

National Manager of the ACE Program, Deirdre Anderson, said the Graduate Certificate was an important tool in developing elite athletes and this has been recognised world-wide.

But most of the career training opportunities for athletes have been developed after the athlete has finished their careers and did not provide a feeling of security.

"The consequences of not addressing this issue will be most strongly felt in the period from 1998 to 2001 - when it will be too late to halt the cycle of athletes not maintaining a sense of balance in their lives." Ms Anderson said.

"As we move towards 2000 and the Sydney Olympics, there is no doubt that we will be asked to take a more socially responsible attitude towards our elite athletes - ACE has taken up that challenge and our athletes will reap the benefits.

"The community will judge for itself how effectively sport has dealt with this issue."

For further information
John Waser
AIS ACE Program
(06) 252 1745
 
Allan Yates
Media and Public Relations
(06) 252 1207
(018) 632 951

MEDIA REALEASE

5 November 1996

INDIGENOUS ATHLETES AND COACHES AWARDED SCHOLARSHIPS

Twenty two Indigenous athletes and coaches have been awarded scholarships under the Olympic Training Centre for Aborigines and Torres Strait Islander (OTCATSI) program to assist preparation for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

The Australian Sports Commission, the Australian Olympic Committee and the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, are pleased to announce the release of the OTCATSI scholarships as part of the ASC's Indigenous Sports Program - the first year they have been available in all Olympic sports.

These scholarships are offered jointly by the sponsoring bodies and are intended to assist potential Olympic athletes and coaches to continue their development within their sports in the lead up to Sydney 2000. Athletes scholarship funding can be used for equipment, travel to competition, coaching, sports medicine services and coaches may use funding for their development as coaches.

Each scholarship may offer up to $4,500, dependant on other funding which is being received by the successful applicants, as these particular scholarships are not intended to replace mainstream elite athlete funding.

The OTCATSI scholarships are part of an integrated, approach being taken to Indigenous sport by the Australian Sports Commission, in conjunction with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission, which aims to provide opportunities for Indigenous Australians to better access the sports systems existing already. They offer athletes and coaches the opportunity to develop their sporting abilities.

"These scholarship holders represent the very best Indigenous talent and will undoubtedly continue to emulate the outstanding performances of Australia's Indigenous athletes in their achievements in Atlanta" said Charles Perkins, manager of the ASC's Indigenous Mentoring Scheme.

Another prominent Aboriginal Australian and former world boxing champion, Lionel Rose remarked: "It's important to develop our athletes - especially in Olympic sports. Success in sports provides a great source of pride for all Australians. I only wish there was a support mechanism similar to this when I was starting out in my sporting career".

A large number of applications were received from throughout Australia. This interest and the standard of applicants made the selection process very difficult. The following athletes and coaches are to be congratulated for their selection following such an extensive elimination process.

ATHLETES

Athletics

Rondelle Ryan NSW
Karla Law QLD
Shane Hearn WA
Timothy Ewen SA
Jean Federick Schwartz WA
Damian Vesper NSW
Leon Saunders WA

Hockey

Rachel Hampton SA

Soccer

Shane Lyons ACT

Weightlifting

Anthony Martin Qld
Patrick Alldridge Qld

Basketball

Shane Ah Matt SA
Samoane Minniecon Qld
Bradley Van De Kamp TAS

Shooting

Brett Hall NT

Softball

Natasha Storey NT/ACT

Boxing

Duane Crowe NSW
Jason Crowe NSW
John Simpson NSW
Shane Simpson NSW

Coaches

Patsy Elarde ACT
Brian Demmery ACT
Further Information:
 
Lyn Want
Indigenous Sport Program
Australian Sports Commission
ph (06) 252 1210
fax (06) 252 1640

MEDIA RELEASE

12 September 1996

ASC ANNOUNCES SPORTS FUNDING CUTS

The Chairman of the Australian Sports Commission, Mike Fitzpatrick, today announced details of funding reductions to a range of sports and sporting bodies, following decisions made by the Board of the ASC last week.

Mr Fitzpatrick said the reductions were in response to Federal Government cuts of $5 million made in the August Budget and a further $1 million in Government imposed efficiency measures.

Mr Fitzpatrick said the funding decisions had been very difficult to reach.

"In making these decisions, we have tried to maximise the impact of Australia's sporting dollar while at the same time minimise the impact on Australians playing sport," he said.

"Decisions have therefore been taken which affect low participation sports or large umbrella groups and major professional sports which are in a good position to help themselves.

"Unfortunately, we simply cannot sustain the same level of funding to all sports as we have over the past four years, but we have tried to ensure that Australia's sports budget is utilised in the best possible way."

The reductions - which will be effective from 1 January 1997 - will combine with a number of other initiatives within the ASC and the Australian Institute of Sport as the Board continues to meet the Federal Government's Budget targets.

This includes an assessment of funding to participation programs

around Australia as part of the Sports Commission's review of its Participation branch and activities.

Mr Fitzpatrick said the AIS - which faces a reduction in funding of of $600,000 this financial year - is yet to conclude its own review on the full impact of cuts on AIS programs and services. Reviews of the Olympic Athlete Program - for the preparation of Olympic athletes for Sydney 2000 - are being conducted separately of this funding exercise.

Following is a summary of decisions reached by the ASC Board at this stage.

Minor sports that will no longer receive funding from the ASC under the Sports Assistance Scheme and their cuts (based on 95-96 allocations) are:

Sport 95/96 Funds 96/97 Reduction
Australian Aviation Confederation $80,000 $40,000
Aero Clubs $5,000 $3,750
Field Archery $16,000 $13,500
Ballooning $22,000 $17,500
Billiards and Snooker $27,500 $23,250
Bobsleigh $8,000 $8,000
Curling $25,000 $25,000
Darts $19,000 $16,000
Fencing $32,000 $16,000
Fishing $77,000 $57,000
Gliding $93,000 $55,500
Handball $66,000 $62,000
Hang Gliding $33,500 $23,500
Ice Hockey $62,000 $50,000
Korfball $21,000 $18,250
Marching $20,500 $18,400
Modern Pentathlon $50,300 $49,050
Parachuting $98,000 $72,000
Sporting Shooters $21,000 $18,250
Synchronised Swimming $35,800 $33,300
Trampolining $52,400 $45,150
Tug-of-War $6,000 $4,500
Underwater $81,000 $54,000

The following umbrella sporting groups and bodies will have their funding (based on 1995-96 allocations) reduced in 1996-97 by:

Organisation 95-96 Funds 96-97 Reduction
Confederation of Australian Sports $100,000 $50,000
Australian Schools Sports Council $40,000 $20,000
Aust Society of Sports Administrators $75,000 $37,500
ACHPER $25,000 $25,000
Sports Medicine Australia $193,000 $77,500

The Commission may still engage the services of these organisations on a project by project basis. This particularly applies to Sports Medicine Australia. Under the Sports Assistance Sceme, the following organisations have had their administration subsidies reduced, but are eligible to retain funding for a range of ASC programs such as training and development of athletes, coaches and officials as well as funding to offset costs for international competition.

Sport 95-96 Funds 96-97 Reduction
Australian Football $250,000 $37,500
Men's Cricket $647,300 $20,000
Motor Sports $85,500 $30,000
Motor Cycling $130,000 $30,000
Rugby League $270,000 $42,500
Rugby Union $643,000 $45,000
Men's Soccer $1,608,400 $40,000
Tennis $1,348,400 $30,000
Aust Universities Sports Fed $150,000 $27,500

** Funding to be provided for such things as international competition.

Mr Fitzpatrick noted that these organisations were also eligible for further funding through a number of participation programs which are still to be determined.

Queries:
Allan Yates
ASC
(06) 252 1207
(018) 632 951

MEDIA RELEASE

5 September 1996

ASC BOARD DECISIONS FOR SPORTS FUNDING IN THE LEAD UP TO SYDNEY 2000

The Chairman of the Australian Sports Commission, Mr Mike Fitzpatrick, today announced decisions of the Commission's Board on funding for sport for the next four year period leading up to the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

The decisions of the Commission reflect the priorities of Government for the next four years, for both elite and participation programs, and also reflect the savings measures that the Commission has been required to implement as a result of the August Federal Budget.

The Commission had its base allocation reduced by $5m in the Federal Budget and other Government imposed efficiency measures have involved a further reduction of around $1m in the Commission's budget.

The Government has, however, reaffirmed its commitment to a four year program for sport up to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. The Prime Minister has pledged not to cut funding for the preparation of Olympic athletes up to 2000.

Mr Fitzpatrick said that it is an opportune time for the Commission to examine its strategic approach to funding support to ensure Government funding will be used most effectively. The Commission examined its funding situation very carefully and decided that, to meet its total budget shortfall, it would introduce the following measures:

Mr Fitzpatrick said the measures were designed to ensure Australian sport maximises its Government funding and further streamlines its administration running into the 21st century.

"It is, of course, regrettable that we have had to impose some of these measures," Mr Fitzpatrick said. "It was nevertheless understandable that the Government should seek some contribution from the sports community towards rectifying the nation's fiscal position. We have certainly tried very hard to make reductions which will not compromise the Government's overall approach to sports development."

Mr Fitzpatrick said that he was confident the overall approach to sport in Australian was healthy and the prospects for continued success up to and beyond 2000 were sound.

* * * * * * *

Contact:
Bob Hobson
Ph: (06) 252 1304
 
Allan Yates
Ph: (06) 252 1207

MEDIA RELEASE

1 July 1996

AIS JACKET TO COOL AUSTRALIA'S OLYMPIANS

The Australian Institute of Sport has developed a special cooling jacket aimed at improving the performance of Australian athletes at the hot and humid Atlanta Olympic Games.

The pre-competition cooling jacket, which will be worn by Australian athletes in a number of sports at Atlanta, has been developed by sport scientists at the Australian Institute of Sport over the past six months. This development has been the result of research over a number of years to assist our athletes to perform at their best in the hot and humid conditions expected at Atlanta.

The cooling jacket is a relatively simple design with modifications to suit a number of sports. The jacket, which uses ice as the cooling agent, is in the colours of the Australian team. The project has the support of the Australian Olympic Committee and their clothing supplier, Adidas.

The jacket will be worn by athletes in a number of sports prior to Olympic competition. In hockey, it may be worn by players on the interchange bench.

The jacket has been trialled by the athletes in training both in Australia and overseas in preparation for Atlanta and, in consultation with their coaches, the scientists have developed various protocols for use prior to competition.

The concept of pre-cooling has been researched for a number of years. Research has found that if we can limit the rate at which the body would normally heat up in the humid heat of Atlanta, the onset of fatigue will be delayed and performance levels maintained.

Research carried out by AIS Sport Scientists has demonstrated the positive effect of pre-cooling on performance. The cooling jacket aims to minimise the negative effect of humid heat on athletic performance.

Contact:

Allan Yates
Media and Public Relations
018 867 326
06 252 1295

Media Release

1996 Australian Coach Awards Finalists

The Australian Olympic Sports have provided the bulk of nominations for the 1996 Australian Coach Awards organised by the Australian Coaching Council (ACC).

Nominations for the prestigeous Awards include coaches from Swimming, Track & Field, Paralympic sports, Equestrian, Rowing, Hockey, Basketball and Cycling.

Finalists for this year's Individual Coach of the Year are: Jennifer Banks (Wheelchair Track & Field), John Carew (Swimming), Peter Fortune (Track & Field), Chris Nunn (Disabled Track & Field), Wayne Roycroft (Equestrian) and Gary West (Cycling).

Finalists for this year's Team Coach of the Year are: Barry Barnes (Men's Basketball), Reinhold Batcschi (Rowing), Richard Charlesworth (Women's Hockey), Noel Donaldson (Rowing), Tom Maher (Women's Basketball) and Paul Thompson (Rowing).

Mr Peter Corcoran, OAM, Chairman of the ACC Board, said today, " The coaches nominated for this year's Awards representing the cream of the Olympic coaching crop."

"Nominations are a direct reflection of Australia's outstanding success at the Atlanta Olympics.

"In addition, nominations for the Young Coach of the Year Awards reflect the new generation of coaches coming through in the Australian sporting arena."

Finalists for this year's Young Coach (Male) of the Year are: Miles Browning (Triathlon), Steve Rippon (Track & Field), Shannon Rollason (Swimming) and Sean Scott (Bicycle Motocross).

Finalists for this year's Young Coach (Female) of the Year are: Susan Emerson (Deaf Women's Basketball), Carrie Graf (Women's Basketball), Lisa Newman-Morris (Trampolining) and Katrina Nuess (Womens' Soccer).

A brief description of the achievements of the finalists of the above categories are attached.

The winners will be selected by a judging panel representing a broad cross section of the Australian sporting community. The criteria for judging include:

The Awards will be presented at the National Coaching and Officiating Conference at the Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre on 30 November 1996.

Eunice Gill Coach Education Awards

Additional awards recognising outstanding contribution to coach education are also presented on the evening. Winners will be determined by the Australian Coaching Council Board.

Previous winners of the ACC sponsored Awards include David Parkin (AFL), Charlie Walsh (Cycling), Ric Charlesworth (Hockey) and John Carew (Swimming).

The Australian Coach Awards are sponsored by Heath Fielding Australia Pty Ltd, Legal Expense Insurance, and Paddywack Promotional Products.

The ACC aims to promote the status of coaches and to improve coaching quality in Australia. The ACC is a program of the Australian Sports Commission.

* * *

A copy of the first media release of 16 October 1996, which include more details about the Awards, is also attached.

Mr Peter Corcoran will be happy to be interviewed regarding the Awards.

For further information, please contact:
 
Janice Yeung
Australian Coaching Council
Tel: (06) 252 1547
Fax: (06) 252 1200
 
Allan Yates
Australian Sports Commission
Tel: (06) 252 1207
Mob: 018 632 951

Finalists Achievements Profile

(names in alphabetical order)

Category: Individual Coach of the Year

Jennifer Banks - Wheelchair Track & Road

Jennifer Banks is the personal coach of six athletes competed at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games winning 6 gold and 5 silver medals, and breaking 4 world records, 7 paralympic recrods and 11 national records. Jennifer is currently the Director of Sport, Australian Paralympic Federation and Team responsible for the management of the Paralympic Preparation Program, the disabled sport equivalent of the Olympic Athlete Program. Jennifer is a Level 2 NCAS accredited coach.

John Carew - Swimming

John Carew is the coach of Kieran Perkins, Barcelona and Atlanta Olympic Gold medalist -1500 Freestyle. John has coached Kieren through a rough period during 1996 and kept him on top of world rankings and helped him to defend his Olympic title in the Atlanta Games. John was awarded the distinction of "Master Coach" by the Australian Swimming Coaches Association. John has more than 10 years of coaching experience and is a Level 3 NCAS accredited coach.

Peter Fortune - Track & Field

Peter Fortune is the coach of Cathy Freeman, silver medal 400m Atlanta Olympic Games, breaking the previous Olympic record and also setting a new Australian record. This followed on from a consistent season where Cathy had a second place and twice broke the Australian record in the 400m as part of the International Grand Prix Series. Peter is also the coach of Lauren Hewitt, silver medal 200m World Junior Championships. Peter has more than 10 years of coaching experience and is a Level 2 NCAS accredit ed coach.

Chris Nunn - Disabled Track & Field

Chris Nunn is the personal coach to 5 gold medal winners in track and field at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games. He was also the Assistant Coach of the Ambulant Track and Jumps Team at the Games. The squad achieved the most successful results across all sports and all countries. Chris is currently the Head Coach of the AIS Athletes with Disabilities Program in Canberra. Chris was elected the Chairman of the International Sports Organisation for the Disabled Athletics Committee in 1994-96. Chris is a Level 2 NCAS accredited coach.

Wayne Roycroft - Equestrian

Wayne Roycroft is the Coach of the gold medal winning Equestrian Three Day Event team in Atlanta, a consecutive win after Barcelona. Wayne is also a National selector and is currently the President of the Equestrian Federation. Wayne has more than 10 years of coaching experience and is a Level 3 NCAS accredited coach.

Gary West - Cycling

Gary West is the coach of Michelle Ferriss who won silver medal at 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. In addition, Gary is also the coach of Gary Neiwand (4th Olympic sprint) and Darryl Hill (5th Olympic sprint). Gary is a Level 3 NCAS accredited coach.

Category: Team Coach of the Year

Barry Barnes - Men's Basketball

Barry Barnes is the Head Coach of the Australian Men's Basketball Team (Boomers). The Team has won the fourth place at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games which was rated as Australia's best performance at an Olympics in men's competition. Barry has led the team in 26 international competition in which the team won 23 games. Barry has more than 10 years of coaching experience and is a Level 2 NCAS accredited coach.

Reinhold Batcschi - Rowing

Reinhold is the Head Coach of the Australian Rowing Team at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, which comes on top of the same appointment for 1988 and 1992. At the Games, The team won 2 gold medals, 1 silver and 3 bronze medals. At the 1996 European Tour, the team won totally 14 gold medals, 11 silver medals and 6 bronze medals. Reinhold has been the AIS Head Coach since the inception of the Rowing program in 1985, he has developed rowers to an international level for the last 11 years. Reinhold is a Le vel 2 NCAS accredited coach.

Richard Charlesworth - Women's Hockey

Richard Charlesworth has been the coach of the Australian Women's Hockey Team since 1993 and led the team to win the gold medal in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. Under his coaching, in 1996, the team has won 28 games and drawn 5 games out of 33 matched played. Richard is a Level 3 NCAS accredited coach.

Noel Donaldson - Rowing

Noel Donaldson is the coach of the "Oarsome Foursome" which won the gold medal in both 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games. Noel has coaches under 23 development crews and has assisted the development of Rowing in an administrative role. Noel has more than 10 years of coaching experience and is a Level 2 NCAS accredited coach.

Tom Maher - Women's Basketball

Tom Maher is the Head Coach of the Australian Women's Basketball Team (Opals) at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games and the team won a bronze medal. This is the first ever medal won in senior basketball. In 1996, at the international competitions, the team played 18 games and won 15. Tom has more than 10 years of coaching experience and is a Level 2 NCAS accredited coach.

Paul Thompson - Rowing

Paul Thompson have been the coach of Kate Slatter and Megan Still since 1990. Kate and Megan, the Australian Women's Pair representatives, won gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games and two gold medals and two bronze medals at the European Regattas in 1996. Paul is a Level 2 NCAS accredited coach.

Category: Young Coach of the Year - Male

Miles Browning - Triathlon

Miles Browning coached Chris Hill to win the 1995 Junior Triathlon World Championships in November 1995. Miles is a member of the Triathlon Australian Sports Science Sub-committee and works with Triathlon Queensland's Junior Development Committee. Miles is studying two full-time degrees in Masters of Science and Physiotherapy. Miles is a Level 2 NCAS accredited coach.

Steve Rippon - Track & Field

Steve Rippon has been the personal coach (pole vault) to James Miller, who won 1996 National Pole Vault Champion, 1996 Olympic team member and was placed 16th in the World at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, and Peter Winter who is the 1996 National Decathlon Champion and 1996 Olympic team member. Steve also coaches Paul Burgess who won 1996 World Junior Pole Vault Champion, 1996 National U20 Pole Vault silver medalist, and 1996 National U18 Pole Vault Champion and record holder. Paul is a Level 3 NCAS accredited coach.

Shannon Rollason - Swimming

Shannon is the coach of the Chandler Swim Club in 1995-96. The club is the runner-up in Brisbane Metropolitan Swimming Competition. Shannon has the coach of 5 swimmers in the National Dolphine Squad and was appointed Queensland Coaching Staff for State Target 1998 Squad. The Club finished 10th at Olympic Trials and Australian Open Championships. Shannon is a Level 2 NCAS accredited coach.

Sean Scott - Bicycle Motocross

Sean Scott is the National Coach of Bicycle Motocross team at 1996 World Championships and the team won 2 gold medals and placed 4th overall. Sean is keen on developing all levels of athlete. He has developed programs from the novice junior to the elite senior. He is a Level 2 NCAS accredited coach.

Category: Young Coach of the Year - Female

Susan Emerson - Deaf Women's Basketball

Susan Emerson is the coach of Jolimont Deaf Women's Basketball Team who won Team of the Year under Victorian Sports Association of the Deaf 1995 and two interstate Challenge matches. Susan coached the Victorian Deaf Women's Basketball Team to win tour of New Zealand and has been selected as Coach for the Australian Deaf Women's Basketball Team for World Deaf Games in 1997.

Carrie Graf - Women's Basketball

Carrie Graf is the Head Coach of Sydney Flames who won the 1996 Women's National Basketball League with a winning streak of 18 games. Carrie is the Assistant Coach of the Australian's Women's Basketball Team at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games who won a bronze medal. Carrie is awarded High Performance Coach Award by Basketball Australia. Carrie is currently a High Performance NCAS accredited coach and has completed the Diploma of Coaching with the Australian Coaching Council and was formally a scholarsh ip coach at the AIS.

Lisa Newman-Morris - Trampolining

Lisa Newman-Morris has coached five athletes into the Australian Team for the World Championships in Canada and 17 athletes who were qualified for the Australian Championships. Lisa has served on the Trampoline Sports Victoria committee for the past four years and have held an executive position as State Coach since 1994. Lisa has also served Trampoline Sports Australia as a National Coach or Assistant Coach in 1993, 1994 and 1996. Lisa is undertaking a graduate diploma course in Sports Coaching to fu rther her knowledge and she is a Level 2 NCAS accredited coach.

Katrina Nuess - Women's Soccer

Katrina Nuess is the U16 Women's Soccer coach for the ACT and the team won the National U16 Women's Soccer title twice in a row. Katrina is a feeder coach of the ACT Academy of Sport Program and is the Assistant Coach of the ACT Women's Soccer Senior Team. Katrina is a Level 2 NCAS accredited coach.

MEDIA RELEASE

NEW COACH FOR AIS WOMEN'S TENNIS PROGRAM

Internationally experienced tennis coach John Trickey has been appointed by the Australian Institute of Sport to coach its women's scholarship program.

Most recently Trickey has been working with Australia's number one female player Nicole Bradtke but will now concentrate on developing some of the country's up and coming young talent.

This year Trickey will be working with AIS scholarship holders Siobhan Drake-Brockman (WA), Annabel Ellwood (ACT) and Trudie Musgrave (NSW).

Trickey has also worked with Tennis Australia as a satellite coach. He spent twelve years coaching in Germany with the Rochusclub in Dusseldorf and Bayer Lererkusen men's and women's teams and with a number of top German players, including Carl-Uwe Steeb, Eric Jelen, Michael Westphal and Alex Mronz.

Trickey will be based at the recently relocated AIS tennis program at Melbourne Park and replaces Peter Campbell who coached the women's program for eight years when it was based at the AIS in Canberra.

For further information
Chris Kachel - AIS Head Coach
018 867 326
06 252 1295
 
3 April 1996

MEDIA RELEASE

ASC STAND ON CLOSURE OF WAIS GYMNASTICS PROGRAM

The Executive Director of the Australian Sports Commission, Mr Jim Ferguson, today said he was surprised to read claims that Commission policies had contributed to the closure of the Western Australian Gymnastics Program.

He said "We have known for some time that the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) Board has been considering the future of the gymnastics program. The fact is that WAIS has put a high level of funds into that program compared to other sports programs in Western Australia. The decision to close the program could have nothing to do with the Australian Gymnastics Federation's National Plan which was re-affirmed by the Federation on 23 March. This plan makes it quite clear that no gymnast is required to relocate without the consent and support of their home coach and parents."

Mr Ferguson said it was interesting that the men's program had also been closed as there had never been any disagreement over that program.

He said that the Commission would continue to work closely with the Australian Gymnastics Federation to ensure that there was a viable gymnastics program in Western Australia and that the gymnastics community would not be disadvantaged by the WAIS decision.

In respect to claims that the Commission had not supported the WAIS program, Mr Ferguson explained that Commission policy was to support national programs through the Intensive Training Centre system, rather than State programs. The ASC funding commitment for the Western Australian gymnastics program had been increased this year to $90,000.

Mr Ferguson added that the matter is essentially an internal one for the Australian Gymnastics Federation.

For further information

Jim Ferguson
ASC Executive Director
06 252 1235

CANBERRA - 28 March 1996

MEDIA RELEASE

AIS ANNOUNCES AUSTRALIA'S FIRST PROFESSIONAL CYCLING TEAM

The Giant AIS Road Cycling/MTB Program for 1996 has taken on a new look with the registration at the UCI, the World Cycling Federation, as a professional Trade Team.

The "GIANT - AIS Cycling Team" will offer scholarships to 10 professional athletes and five 'Under 23' amateurs.

All cyclists now ride under the one license, therefore allowing them to enter races such as the Tour de France, the Tour du Pont as well as the Commonwealth and Olympic Games and World Championships.

The establishment of the new team by National and AIS Head Road Cycling Coach, Heiko Salzwedel will increase the athletes' accessibility to and preparation for such international road races.

Jayco Caravans Australia will be a co-sponsor of the new team which is a joint venture between the AIS and Giant Bicycles Australia. Jayco will provide the program with a fully-equipped motor-home in the United States for use at the Olympics in Atlanta and will also provide a caravan for the team to use for races in Australia.

As professional athletes the members of the "GIANT-AIS Cycling Team" will receive salaries courtesy of corporate sponsors Giant Bicycles, Jayco Caravans and Bolle' Sunglasses.

"This is the first team of its kind for Australian Cycling and it is an unique opportunity for our cyclists to mix it with riders such as Miguel Indurain and the likes at international races," Salzwedel said.

For further information

Heiko Salzwedel AIS Head Coach
- Road Cycling/MTB
06 252 1714
 
Gabrielle Hallinan
Public Relations Officer
06 252 1476

MEDIA RELEASE - EMBARGOED UNTIL 15TH FEBRUARY, 1996

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