The AIS and University of Canberra (UC) developed MACE in 2019 to provide health professionals in National Sporting Organisations (NSO’s) and the National Institute Network (NIN) with the skills and insight to optimise the health and performance of elite athletes.

The unique, world-first degree aims to give athletes the best chance of podium success by improving plans and strategies to prevent injury.

Nine grants have been distributed across the high performance sport system since MACE was first introduced, with the third round to offer ten scholarships worth $6,800.

“I’m proud of this program and the work the AIS and University of Canberra are doing to give our athletes the best chance of health and success,” said AIS CEO Peter Conde.

“The MACE program is improving the system’s ability to prevent injury and keep our athletes healthy. The nine grant recipients are all playing vital roles in supporting athletes ahead of Tokyo, with MACE helping them to revolutionise the way we manage health in sport.”

Epidemiologist and AIS Athlete Performance Health Manager Dr Michael Drew said: “The MACE course offers advanced online learning and intensive hands-on experiences to deliver graduates who will be world leaders in the delivery of performance-driven health strategies.

“With a strong focus on applying research evidence to clinical practice, graduates will understand the principles of performance health management while gaining skills and experience in the development of programs and initiatives to ensure elite athletes consistently perform at their very best.”

MACE Course Convenor and Associate Professor in Physiotherapy Dr Jeremy Witchalls said that the program has been a clear success.

“The AIS has been a world leader in implementing evidence-based solutions for athlete health, and UC’s industry-led partnership with them has made this program extremely successful,” said Dr Witchalls.

“The program is attracting further interest from other areas for which this knowledge is valuable. The expansion of this skillset into the management of human performance is a tremendous growth area and it’s great to be on the forefront of that.”’

The MACE course is an initiative of AIS Athlete Performance Health that is designed to improve health, training availability and performance outcomes of Australian athletes by facilitating the adoption of a proactive, preventative healthcare model across the National High Performance Sports System.

Applications for the 2021 AIS MACE scholarships close on Thursday July 8, with successfully applicants to be notified on Friday July 16.

For information on the eligibility criteria and how to apply, please visit www.ais.gov.au/athlete-availability-program/mace or direct your questions to mace@ausport.gov.au.

2019

Melissa Crunkhorn, Performance Health Manager, Queensland Academy of Sport

Ben Pagett, Physiotherapist, Paralympics Australia

Ben Raysmith, Senior Physiotherapist, Athletics Australia

David Spurrier, Physiotherapist, South Australian Sports Institute

2020

Steve Hawkins, Lead Physiotherapist, Victorian Institute of Sport

Warren McDonald, Chief Medical Officer, Rugby Australia

Daniel Sheehy, Physiotherapist, ACT Academy of Sport

Gena Wallis, Physiotherapist, Tennis Australia

Kate Watson, Performance Health Coordinator, Queensland Academy of Sport