Australian Institute of Sport Director Matt Favier is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr David Hughes as Chief Medical Officer for the AIS.

Dr Hughes has worked extensively with high-level athletes in Australia and the United Kingdom. He has recently completed a term as President of the Australasian College of Sports Physicians and is the current Team Physician with the Australian Opals Women's Basketball Team.

The Chief Medical Officer role, which is associated with the recent repositioning of the AIS as part of the recent Australia’s Winning Edge announcement, will head the AIS Canberra Sports Medicine Unit as well as provide strategic planning with National Sports’ and State Sports Institute Medical officers to optimise delivery of Sports Medical expertise to high level Australian athletes.

As Australia’s national high performance agency, the AIS will be investing more in coaching, direct support to athletes and talent identification, shift from a program delivery model, and have a stronger  focus on sports science, innovation, research and sports medicine services.

Strategic thinking and collaboration in the delivery of sports medicine services will be an essential component of Australia's Winning Edge.

The Director also paid tribute to the departing Head of Sports Medicine, Associate Professor Kieran Fallon, who is retiring after a career devoted to Australian sports medicine including 19 years of service to the AIS and 12 years as the Head of Sports Medicine.