Australia’s best sports scientists will have access to world-class research facilities following a new agreement signed today between Victoria University's Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living, the Australian Institute of Sport and the Australian Sports Commission.

Minister for Sport Mark Arbib today welcomed the signing of the new five year $1 million collaborative research agreement.

These research programs represent a new era in sports research that will span cutting-edge high performance programs as well as ways to boost participation of young people in sport.

'The Australian Government is pleased to be able to provide half the funding for this almost $1 million partnership,' Senator Arbib said.

'The new purpose-built research facility in Melbourne and the collaboration between our leading sports scientists will ensure the research brings together areas of sport, exercise science and active living to ensure Australian athletes remain a force on the world stage.

'Through this partnership the AIS will have access to 21st century research facilities, custom built with integrated laboratories and workshops benchmarked against the best of its kind in the world.

'Our athletes will be the major beneficiaries of this research with access to multiple new research programs including heat chambers to test themselves and their equipment or performance analysis rooms to ensure they are reaching their peak ability'.

Senator Arbib said the five year partnership will play a pivotal role in Australia’s sporting future. 
'The research will help all Australians, from those participating at a grass-roots level to our elite athletes competing on the international stage,' Senator Arbib said.
Acting AIS Director Phil Borgeaud said that partnering with Victoria University would reap enormous benefits for Australian sport at levels.

'Australia might be the leader in elite sport innovation, however we can’t forget to engage the broader community on the benefits sport plays in a healthy lifestyle,' Mr Borgeaud said.

'Through this partnership we will see a number of exciting sport science projects including ‘Pathways to the podium’, which examines the various sporting pathways that current and former elite athletes have followed when forging their sporting careers.

'The results produced from this project will help to inform and refine future programs put in place for Australian children interested in participating and pursuing their chosen sport.'