Consolidating our approach and structure

Further changes have been made to the Australian Sports Commission’s (ASC) structure to achieve resourcing and staffing efficiencies and to better align strategic directions with functional intent. This change comes on top of the ASC’s current efforts to streamline its operations, including moving from six divisions to four.

Earlier this month, the Sport Strategy and Participation Division ceased to exist and has been replaced by the smaller Government Relations (federal and state), Communications and Research Branch under General Manager Judy Flanagan. The functions of the Sport Strategy Branch of the Sport Strategy and Participation Division have been transferred to the Sports Development Division. This also means the Active After-school Communities Branch, the Sport Integrity Branch and the International Sport for Development Section move to the Sports Development Division reporting to General Manager Greg Nance.

This change does not alter the ASC’s strategic direction and its work with sport sector partners but ensures that the ASC can continue to operate effectively within tight financial constraints and deliver prioritised outcomes in collaboration with our partners.

Cross sport collaboration

After giving their endorsement earlier in the year it was pleasing to see the Commonwealth and State and Territory Governments formally sign up to the National Sport and Active Recreation Policy Framework (NSARPF) at the recent Sport and Recreation Ministerial Council meeting on the Gold Coast.

The fact that our Sports Ministers all agree that the sector needs to align under a Policy Framework is great news for sport as it means we will be all working to contribute to common objectives ranging  from growing participation at the grass roots level to enhancing our high performance sport.

I want to congratulate all those who have helped create this important body of work, and encourage everyone across the sport sector, at all levels, to support and embrace its introduction and implementation.

It was also pleasing to see the majority of States and Territories formally sign up with the Commonwealth to the new National Institutes System Intergovernmental Agreement (NISIA). Through this agreement, the National Elite Sports Council (NESC) – inclusive of the AIS and ASC – will work to align resources and collectively support national sporting organisations’ high performance plans, and ultimately the success of Australia’s high performance athletes and programs.

Uniting for the Green and Gold

It’s been exciting to see a number of strong examples of our new united approach to supporting Australia’s elite athletes on their road to next year’s 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics.

Recently the AIS hosted a gathering of our top men’s relay swimmers as part of their Games preparations. This saw athletes from a number of Institutes and Academies working as one alongside Swimming Australia and AIS coaches and experts all with the single aim of strengthening our team for London.

This is a key part of the Government’s Green and Gold project which is providing targeted funding and support to our top Olympic teams and individuals to ensure we give our athletes the best possible preparation.

Until next time,

Peter

Professor Peter Fricker OAM
Acting CEO
Australian Sports Commission