In recent weeks the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and broader sport sector received important news with the appointment of a new ASC Chief Executive Officer, while at the same time one of our most experienced and longest serving colleagues has announced his departure.

Earlier this month ASC Chairman, the Hon. Warwick Smith AM, announced Mr Simon Hollingsworth as the new Chief Executive Officer.

Simon comes to the ASC from his previous role as Executive Director, Policy and Cabinet Group, at the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet.

A former Olympic and Commonwealth Games representative, Simon is expected to start with the ASC late next month.

Having met with Simon recently I can say that he is very excited by the challenge ahead and is eager to start working closely with ASC staff and our colleagues and partners across the sport sector. He has already arranged pre-briefing sessions with the ASC executive to assist with his preparation for the position.

The ASC Executive looks forward to working with Simon as we continue to drive the organisation’s strategic direction of working collaboratively with our sport partners to achieve the Government’s goals of increasing our international success while boosting sporting participation and enhancing sporting pathways.

On a sadder note, Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Director, Professor Peter Fricker OAM, has announced his resignation and will depart for a new role overseas early next month.

Peter had been acting in the role of CEO until his recent announcement. As a result, I have been asked to act as CEO until Simon starts in the role and to support his transition into the organisation.

With more than 28 years on staff, and after 30 years of involvement with the AIS, Peter has made an incredible contribution to not only the Institute but Australian sport as a whole.

Peter leaves behind a fabulous legacy, with the AIS recognised internationally as one of the world’s leading sports training and sports science institutes.

In recent years Peter has also led the AIS in achieving stronger outcomes for our national sporting bodies and fostering a more united approach between all of Australia’s institutes and academies to best support our high performance athletes.

On behalf of all at the ASC I want to wish Peter all the best in the future and thank him for his outstanding contribution to Australian sport.

Greg Nance
Acting ASC CEO