Former Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) athletes have been honoured for excellence and success by being inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame at its 25th anniversary dinner in Melbourne on 8 October.

The Sport Australia Hall of Fame recognises and promotes the outstanding sporting achievements of our greatest athletes, and encourages all Australians to reach their potential in sport and life.

Former AIS athletes inducted into Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2009 are:

• Liz Ellis (AIS Netball, 1991–92) — former captain and most capped member of the Australian netball team, playing 122 games for her nation. A three-time world netball champion (1995, 1999 and 2007) and dual gold medallist at the 1998 and 2002 Commonwealth Games.
• Simon Fairweather (AIS Archery, 1991–92) — gold medal in archery from the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
• George Gregan (AIS Rugby, 1993–94) — former captain and most capped player for the Australian rugby team, playing 159 games for Australia including 59 as captain.
• Lucien (Luc) Longley (AIS Basketball, 1986–87) — first Australian basketballer to be drafted to the NBA (by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1991). He went on to win three consecutive NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls (1996–98), and represented the Australian Boomers men’s basketball team at the 1988, 1992 and 2000 Olympic Games.
• Shane Warne (AIS Cricket, 1990) — Australia’s greatest spin bowler wicket taker, with 708 test wickets at an average of 25.41.

AIS Director Professor Peter Fricker paid tribute to the Hall of Fame inductees.

‘The AIS is extremely proud of these outstanding Australians and is pleased to have contributed to their development as elite athletes,’ Fricker said.

The Sport Australia Hall of Fame also announced its national scholarships to help fund, encourage and support Australia’s next generation of sporting talent.

Current AIS athlete Mathew Goble (kayak) was a member of the group of Australia’s top young sporting talent who received a Sport Australia Hall of Fame scholarship.

The AIS is internationally renowned for the training and development of some of Australia’s best athletes in preparation for world events, using leading coaching and sports science expertise, world-class training facilities and other high performance services.

More than 6500 athletes have passed through the AIS since its establishment in 1981. Many have gone on to become world champions and to represent Australia at world championships and the Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games.

Many former AIS athletes continue to make a significant contribution to Australia’s sporting success. Liz Ellis plays an important role as a member of the Australian Sports Commission Board and Simon Fairweather is the head coach of the Australian Archery team.