Our history

We are continually looking for ways to progress the AIS and Australian sport.

The AIS was one-of-a-kind in 1981, the only sport institute in Australia. There is now a sport institute or academy in every state and territory.

We have united to become the National Institute Network and are positioned to positively influence more Australian athletes than ever before.

Here are some of the key moments in our journey so far.

AIS historical timeline

For further information on AIS Sports, please visit the AIS Alumni Network on the Clearinghouse for Sport website. This work is currently being assembled. Unless otherwise indicated, all AIS sports will gradually be included to this network.

AIS Alumni Network

1981

The AIS officially opened by the Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Malcolm Fraser on 26 January (Australia Day).

Don Talbot was appointed inaugural AIS Director and Kevan Gosper, Chair of the AIS Board.

The eight founding sports were basketball, gymnastics, netball, swimming, tennis, track and field, football, and weightlifting.
1982

The South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) was established.
1983

Construction of the indoor and outdoor tennis courts, and swimming complex were completed.

The Gymnastics Training Hall was opened on 1 March 1983 by the Prime Minister, the Hon Malcolm Fraser.

The West Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) was established.
1984

Dr John Cheffers was appointed AIS Director.

Ted Harris was appointed new ASC Chair.

Greg Hartung was appointed ASC CEO.

The AIS diving program in Brisbane and hockey program in Perth were established.

Construction of the Frank Stewart Training Centre for netball, Football (indoor) basketball and weightlifting and outdoor synthetic football pitch were completed.
1985

Professor John Bloomfield was appointed AIS Chair.

The Sports Science and Medicine Building was opened on 22 July 1985 by the Hon John Brown MP, Minister for Sport, Recreation and Tourism.

The AIS Athletes' Residence and the Corporate Services Building was opened by the Prime Minister, the Hon Bob Hawke, on 29 October 1985.

The AIS squash program in Brisbane and men's water polo and rowing in Canberra were established.

The Tasmanian Institute of Sport (TIS) was established.
1986

The AIS Football outdoor facility was completed, which included the two grass fields, changing rooms and lecture room.

The AIS men's cricket program in Adelaide was established.
1987

Ronald Harvey was appointed AIS Director.

The AIS cycling program in Adelaide was established.

In August the government decided to merge the AIS with the Australian Sports Commission (ASC).
1988

The AIS rugby union program in Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra was established.

Perry Crosswhite was appointed as acting ASC CEO.
1989

The AIS canoe facility opened on the Gold Coast.

Ronald Harvey was appointed ASC CEO.

The ACT Academy of Sport (ACTAS) was established.
1990

Robert de Castella appointed AIS Director.

The AIS men's volleyball program in Sydney was established.

Jim Ferguson was appointed ASC CEO.

The Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) was established.

Opening of the AIS by Malcolm Fraser 1981

AIS administration building and AIS residence 1985

Image gallery

Opening of the National indoor sports centre by Malcolm Fraser 1981

Commencement of building on the AIS pool and tennis centres 1981

AIS Sports Science Laboratory 1982 - Dick Telford and Athletes

AIS Sports Science 1982 - Treadmill Vo2 max test on Robert De Castella

AIS Swimming Training Deakin Pool 1982 - Bill Sweetenham, AIS Swimming Coach

AIS Facilities Weightlifting Training Area Indoor Stadium 1982

Robert de Castella 1982 Athletics training group outside outdoor stadium

AIS Sports Science Physiologist Dick Telford 1983

Don Talbot presents Lisa Curry with an award

AIS Hockey Perth Opening Ceremony 1984 by John Brown, Minister for Sport

AIS diving program established in Brisbane 1984

Opening AIS Soccer Indoor Training Hall 1984

AIS Sports Science and Medicine Building 1985

AIS Physiology 1986 - Rowing Vo2 testing

AIS Physiology 1986 - Dr Telford and Swimmer L. Leech

AIS Physiology 1989 - Ergometer Vo2 Tony Cox, Cycling

AIS Physiology Tri Level Test 1989 - Andrew Lloyd Athletics and Dr Dick Telford

AIS Biomechanics Hockey testing action 1990

1991

The AIS men's road cycling program in Canberra was established.

The Life-skills for Elite Athletes Program (LEAP) commenced.

The Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) was established.
1992

The AIS golf program in Melbourne was established.
1993

AIS women's softball program in Brisbane is established.

AIS women's road cycling program in Canberra is established
1994

Mike Fitzpatrick was appointed new ASC Chair.
1995

John Boultbee was appointed as AIS Director.

The AIS mountain bike program in Canberra was established.
1996

The New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) was established.

The Northern Territory Institute of Sport (NTIS) was established.
1997

The AIS boxing, wrestling, archery and shooting programs in Canberra were established.

The AIS Australian football program in Melbourne was established.

Peter Bartels was appointed new ASC Chair.
2000

The AIS sailing and slalom canoeing in Sydney, and camps based women's cricket and triathlon programs were established.

AIS Biomechanics dome javelin testing 1991.

National Sport Information Centre (NSIC) video editing facilities 1998.

AIS Sports Haematology Biochemistry Laboratory 1999.

Image gallery

AIS Road Cycling competition men 1991 - G Rice, R Crowe, D Lawson, E McLachlan slipstream drafting

AIS Men's Hockey coach Barry Dancer videoing 1991

AIS Biomechanics underwater swimming analysis 1991

AIS Superdome velodrome exterior Adelaide 1993

Peter Blanch AIS Physiotherapy soft tissue massage 1993

AIS Superdome velodrome interior Adelaide 1993

Pele visits the AIS Men's Football program 1993

AIS-RMIT Superoo Ergometer Monocoque bicycle 1994

AIS Athlete Assembly 1994 - ASC Chief Executive Jim Ferguson, ASC Board Chairman Mike Fitzpatrick, AIS Director Robert de Castella

Cadel Evans AIS Mountain Biking Thredbo 1995

AIS Rowing men's eight training National Library,Canberra 1995

Melanie Vivian netballer at the AIS dining hall 1995

AIS dining hall Athlete of the Year display 1995

AIS dining hall Sports Star of the Year award 1995

Jeff Bond with an AIS flotation tank 1995

AIS Arena and NISC Ansett Sports Visitor Centre exterior 1996

AIS Visitors Centre and acrobat statue 1996

Official AIS Archery launch 1997 - Ki-sk Lee coach

Kim Elliott using the Techitron HCT3 blood analyser 1997

Heather Cocquio using the facilities at the NSIC 1998

Matthew Beckenham using the audio visual facilities at the NSIC 1998

Nick A'hern and Sarah Ryan in the BOC Nitrogen House altitude simulator 1998

AIS Sports Haematology Biochemistry Laboratory 1999 - Robin Parisotto and Nicole Horvath

AIS Sports Science Laboratory 1999 - Gary Slater and Hamilton Lee oxygen update testing

AIS Physiotherapy / Massage Department 1999 - Bradley Hiskins massage therapist and Illio Tibal

Nikki Cummings and chef at the AIS dining hall 1999

Launch of new AIS track mondo surface 2000

AIS Olympic and Paralympic breakfast 2000 - Prime Minister John Howard and Michael Klim speech and tracksuit presentation

Jim Ferguson ASC Executive Director at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Torch Relay ceremony

AIS Biomechanics Bruce Mason swimming analysis 2000

Jason Gulbin National Talent Search Co-ordinator testing 2000

Presentation of plaques for recognition of contributions to the EPO 2000 Project (L-R) Dr Amanda Dine Dr Rob Lewin Dr John Kellett Robin Parisotto AIS

2001

Michael Scott was appointed AIS Director.

Mark Peters was appointed ASC CEO.
2003

The new extensions for the AIS archery centre and AIS rowing centre were opened.

The AIS golf facility located at Moonah Links, near Rye on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula was opened.
2004

The AIS cricket academy moved to Brisbane.
2005

Professor Peter Fricker was appointed AIS Director.

The AIS/AVF beach volleyball national centre of excellence was launched.

A new extension to the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) diving dry land training facility at the Sleeman Centre in Chandler, Queensland was opened.
2006

The new $17 million Aquatics Training and Recovery Centre was constructed.
2007

The AIS High Performance Hub opened. Featuring a 110-metre indoor running track (with jumping pit), new physiology laboratories and an enhanced strength and conditioning gymnasium.

The new AIS Athlete Residences opened.
2008

Greg Hartung was appointed new ASC Chair.
2009

Matt Miller was appointed ASC CEO.
2010

The European Training Centre (ETC) opened in Varese, Italy.

Warkwick Smith was appointed new ASC Chair.

2001 Sports Policy Launch - Peter Bartels ASC Executive Board and Prime Minister John Howard.

AIS women's cricket squad in the biomechanics dome 2002.

Swimming performance analysis with John Fowlie 2003.

Image gallery

AIS Sports Science open day 2001 - Scott Anderson talking to students

AIS administration building Pole Vaulter statue 2002

Prime Minister John Howard chatting with the AIS Commonwealth Games team at a farewell breakfast 2002

James Rogers (AIS Water Polo) strength and conditioning training 2002

AIS swimming training Mark Reagan (coach) and Justin Norris

AIS gymnastics evaluation study - Peggy Liddick and gymnasts 2002

Patrick Johnson at the AIS Athletics Come and Try Day 2002

Michael Scott Director, AIS at the AIS rowing launch 2002

AIS indoor archery facility construction 2002

AIS halls of residence during the 2003 ACT bushfires

Exterior of the AIS Archery Centre opening in 2003

Re-construction of the Sydney Olympic Sculptures a gift from AMP 2003

Re-construction of the Sydney Olympic Sculptures, a gift from AMP in memory of the number of Australian Olympians that have trained at the AIS previously set upon Sydney's Centrepoint tower) 2003

AIS Athletes listen to Senator Rod Kemp Minister for the Arts at the AMP Olympic Sculptures launch 2003

Senator Rod Kemp Minister for the Arts and Sport official opening of the AIS Archery Centre 2003

Athlete wearing reflective markers for biomechanics analysis 2003

Rhys Jones and Claire Woods using the National Sport Information Centre computers 2003

AIS Coaches Hall of Fame Honour Board 2003

Aerial view of the AIS Rowing facility Canberra 2003

AIS Golf facility launch, Moonah Links 2003

AIS Canoe Slalom launch 2004 - ASC Executive Director Mark Peters and MInister for Sport Rod Kemp

AIS Commonwealth Cricket Centre of Excellence launch 2004

AIS Diving dry land training facility Brisbane 2004

Winter Sport talent identification - Skeleton testing 2004

New AIS pool sod turning ceremony - Senator Rod Kemp, Minister for the Arts and Sport 2004

New AIS Pool Aquatic Centre construction site team shot front L/R: Helena Bryant (Administrator), Stephanie Williams, Felicity Galvez, Melanie Houghton. 2nd Row L/R: Pierre Lafontaine (Head Coach), Linda MacKenzie, 2005

Doug Rosemond (Biomechanist) performance analysis 2005

AIS men's basketball training Marty Clarke (Head Coach) and Adam Gorman (Skill Acquisition) 2005

Biomechanics cricket testing video analysis 2005

Bree Cole and Sharlene Stratton (AIS Diving) dry land training 2005

AIS Physiology testing treadmill VO2 max 2005

AIS indoor tennis courts facility resurfacing 2005

Aerial view of SDEC under construction 2006

Aerial view of AIS Hub under construction 2006

AIS Bruce Campus aerial view of site and facilities under redevelopment 2006

Dr David Martin addressing the media 2006

Greg Cox (Sports Dietitian) conducts a nutrition education session for athletes 2006

AIS Hub and indoor running track construction 2006

Opening of the Swimming Centre and Administration building - AIS athlete Kirk Palmer prepares to dive into the pool on the force measuring start block, while Bruce Mason Head of Aquatics Testing Training and Research conducts performance analysis testing 2006

Dr. David Martin physiologist, timing the amount of time spent in the plunge pool by the athletes 2007

Shona Halson fatigue and recovery specialist (Physiology) testing on Miles Olman 2007

AIS Men's Road Cycling - Marc Quod PhD scholar (Physiology) testing on Matt King (NTIS) 2007

Prof Peter Fricker - AIS Director, Senator George Brandis - Minister for the Arts and Sport and Chairman Peter Bartels at the AIS Hub launch 2007

Jerrad Tyson (AIS Football) using SPIDAR with iPod 2007

Laura Geitz (AIS Netball), Nigel Panagopka (AIS Vollebyall), studying 2007

Dining hall in the new athlete residences 2007

Main courtyard of the new AIS halls of residences 2007

Opening of the new Australian Institute of Sport Halls of Residence 2007

Official plaque - AIS Halls of Residence launch 2007

Aerial photo of the AIS Bruce site and facilities 2007

Ben King (athlete) cycling biomechanics testing 2008

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd observes AIS swimmers training for the Beijing Olympics 2008

NSIC interactive sports technologies 2008

AIS Biomechanics and Performance Analysis host former West Indian cricketer Brian Lara - Wayne Spratford and Brian Lara 2008

AIS Biomechanics Vicon cameras motion capture 2009

AIS Biomechanics Vicon motion capture setup 2009

AIS Physiology laboratory rowing ergometer step test, conducted by Jesse Featonby 2009

Physical therapies physiotherapist Ebonie Scase treating AIS athlete Heath Francis 2009

Senior sport physiologist Philo Saunders and AIS rower Danjels Reedman during a VO2 Max testing session 2009

Vicon camera system capturing volleyballer Will Thwaite's movement via 3D analysis 2009

Athlete Robbie Crowther on the indoor running track 2009

Coach John Fowlie uses the poolside monitors to help coach his athletes 2009

AIS European Training Centre ETC building under construction, Gavirate, Varese 2009

AIS cricket training strength and conditioning competency testing 2010

2011

AIS assumes responsibility for the leadership and strategic direction of high performance sport in Australia, working with state and territory institutes and academies to establish The National Institute System Intergovernmental Agreement.
2012

Matt Favier was appointed AIS Director.

A new leadership direction for the AIS, with national sporting organisations taking complete responsibility for AIS sports programs by the end of 2013.

AIS established as a Centre for Paralympic Excellence.

John Wylie AM was appointed new ASC chair.

Simon Hollingsworth was appointed ASC CEO.
2013

AIS stages inaugural World Class to World Best Conference.

Launch of the new Sport Science/Sport Medicine Best Practice Principles.

The Combat Centre is established.

Launch of the Athlete Management System (AMS) - an online platform to manage athlete data to improve health and performance outcomes.
2014

New AIS brand launch.

The AIS opens its new FIFA-approved synthetic Football pitch.

The former archery centre is converted to the Football Centre.

Direct athlete funding — dAIS - is launched to directly support athletes.
2015

The AIS and the Australian Medical Association (AMA) collaborated to release the Concussion in Sport Australia position statement and website.
2016

The AIS Basketball and Netball Centre receive a FIBA accredited flooring upgrade.
2017

Peter Conde appointed AIS Director.

Kate Palmer was appointed ASC CEO.

The NBA Academy was opened at the AIS in Canberra, sharing facilities with Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence.
2018

Australian Government launched the National Sport Plan, Sport 2030.

Launch of the Gold Medal Ready program.

The Mental Health Referral Network was created.
2019

The National Institute Network signs a unified National High Performance Sport Strategy for the first time.

The AIS, in partnership with Volleyball Australia launch the first Australian all-weather beach volleyball training facility on the AIS Canberra campus.
2020

AIS launch the AIS Framework for the reboot of sport in a COVID-19 environment.

The AIS helps deliver the $6.5m water jump in Brisbane for our aspiring Winter Athletes to train at home.

Launch of Share a Yarn - community engagement initiative designed to connect high-performance athletes with Indigenous communities.

Robert Dalton was appointed Acting ASC CEO.