It’s a big year for Australian athletes and teams who are training hard and competing in preparation for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond. Australian athletes have already produced some outstanding results in the lead-up to the London Games.

The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) is working closely with national sporting organisations and its sports partners to ensure our athletes receive the support they need for the best possible Olympic Games preparation.

We’re excited that the Australian Institute of Sport's (AIS) European Training Centre (ETC), located in idyllic Italy, is already proving to be a valuable strategic training base for our athletes on the road to the London Games. It provides users with access to world-class training facilities, and sports science and sports medicine support services.

The AIS ETC is open to all Australian sporting teams and athletes and has already supported a number of sports, including: canoe kayak, athletics, triathlon, rowing, basketball, table tennis, athletics, boxing, sailing, rugby, AFL/AIS Academy, cycling and Paralympic sports.

The appointment of Matthew Favier as AIS Director is also a welcome boost to the ASC leadership in supporting AIS high performance sports, and we look forward to Matthew joining our team in March.

A key priority for the ASC in 2012 is implementing the ASC Strategic Plan (2011–12 to 2014–15): Working Together for Australian Sport, which was tabled in Parliament this month.

Copies of the ASC’s Strategic Plan and the ASC’s Annual Operational Plan (2011–12) are now available on the ASC website.

Our key goals are:

• Goal 1: Increased participation in sport

• Goal 2: Increased international success

• Goal 3: Sustainable sport

• Goal 4: Enhanced Australian Sports Commission capability to lead, partner and support.

Clearly we can’t achieve these objectives without your help!

Now the Strategic Plan is finalised our focus is on implementation, delivering key programs, and supporting national sporting organisations and other sports partners to deliver participation and high performance outcomes.

Best wishes to all for 2012. Something tells me it’s going to be busy and exciting!

Simon Hollingsworth
ASC CEO