The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) continues to move ahead with the implementation of Australia’s Winning Edge to ensure the integrity and future success of Australian sport. There is still much work to be done and some key announcements related to the strategy will be made in the first half of 2013. 

To support the delivery of Australia’s Winning Edge the ASC has announced recruitment for three new AIS Deputy Director positions in Performance Excellence; Performance Investment; and Athletes, Coaching and Leadership. More information about these positions is available on the ASC website. 

I would encourage anyone interested in these roles to consider applying or sharing these details of the positions through their networks.

In response to the Australian Crime Commission’s report released last week, Organised Crime and Drugs in Sport, the ASC has issued a statement of support for the efforts to maintain integrity in sport. We are committed to partnering across government and sport to ensure fair and clean sporting competition.

I have written to all partner National Sporting Organisations outlining our recommended approach by sports and look forward to receiving advice on what steps individual sports are taking.

While there has been a strong focus on high performance sport, increasing community participation in sport remains a key priority for the ASC.

The ASC supports the delivery of a broad range of inclusive sports program to improve participation through initiatives like the Active After-school Communities (AASC) program. 

In 2012, the AASC program successfully delivered its eighth year of sporting programs to children across Australia. During 2013, the AASC program will continue to engage primary school-aged children in structured physical activity and provide opportunities for ongoing participation in organised sport.

In other news, I encourage you to take the opportunity to register for Our Sporting Future 2013 forum, to be held in Melbourne from 10–12 April 2013.

One of the many highlights of the OSF 2013 program will be an exclusive interview with United States Olympic gold medallist (200 and 400 metres), Michael Johnson.

Not only is Michael an amazing athlete, but an insightful thinker about sport and its role in society. 

At OSF Michael will share his broad experiences as an Olympic champion and  Michael Johnson Performance, which aims to help athletes of all ages and all sports to reach their full potential.

Another diary date to note and not miss is the AIS Open Day. Taking place at the Bruce Campus in Canberra on Sunday, 28 April, the Open Day is part of our celebration of the Centenary of Canberra and will feature special AIS athlete-guided tours of the facilities and lots of other fun sporting activities for the whole family.

It will be a tremendous opportunity for Canberrans and interstate visitors alike to look behind the scenes at what makes the AIS a national icon and how our elite champions are developed.   

Whatever your role in sport, we look to an eventful 2013 and contributing to Australia’s sporting success.

Simon Hollingsworth
ASC CEO