I am pleased to present an overview of the Australian Sports Commission’s most significant achievements over the last 12 months. In doing so, I acknowledge the leadership and guidance provided by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) Chairman, Greg Hartung OAM, and the ASC Board.

Overall the ASC’s performance was again strong in the past year, with our programs resulting in improved participation outcomes and contributing to Australia’s continued success at the elite level.

We have also delivered successful outcomes in a range of other program areas, including international sports outreach programs, health and wellbeing, social inclusion and support to Indigenous Australians.

However, Australian sport faces many challenges including funding, system fragmentation, infrastructure and facilities, market relevance and competition from other activities. The sustainability of Australian sports is probably the most significant issue we need to address.

In my view, a strategy of continuing to deliver more of the same is not an effective response.

We need to embrace some fundamental reforms as well as build on the strengths that have taken us to where we are today.

At the ASC we recognise the important system leadership role we have to play in bringing sports and other system partners together to deliver reform.

Over the last nine months we have championed key initiatives to:

• better align the high performance system
• build a more cohesive sports system
• increase Australia’s involvement in sport
• rebuild the value proposition for sport.

These initiatives are driving ground-breaking reforms to address some of the most fundamental issues constraining the performance of the Australian sports system.

This report provides an overview of some of these significant initiatives and sets out the priorities for 2010 and beyond.

My sense is that as a sports system we have shifted significantly over the last 12 months as a result of the initiatives championed by the ASC and our system partners’ willingness to embrace and be involved in reform.

There is now reform momentum, and with continuing leadership from the ASC and system partner commitment, we will be successful in tackling the challenges ahead.

Matt Miller
Australian Sports CEO
October 2009