What we do

The VIS awards scholarships to talented Victorian athletes on an annual basis.  VIS scholarships provide athletes with access to advanced coaching, sport science and sports medicine services, career and education advice, and training and competition support.  There are four scholarship “programs” available:  Tier 1, Individual (which includes elite athletes with a disability), Future Talent, and Talent Transfer.

Tier 1 Sports & Scholarship Program

Athletes with a Tier 1 scholarship compete in sports which have a Tier 1 sports program with the VIS.  Eligible athletes are offered annual scholarships on the basis of recommendations from their sport and have access to all program services.

The current Tier 1 sports are aerial skiing, athletics, cycling, diving, golf, gymnastics, hockey, netball, rowing, sailing, swimming, triathlon and water polo.

Tier 1 programs are conducted in conjunction with the State and National sporting bodies and are coordinated by a full time Head Coach or Program Manager.

Individual Athlete Scholarship Program

Athletes with an individual scholarship, which includes the group of elite athletes with a disability*, compete in sports which do not have a Tier 1 sports program with the VIS (*the exceptions are athletics and swimming EAD athletes who are fully integrated into their respective Tier 1 programs).

Athletes can apply for scholarships in March/April and successful athletes are awarded annual scholarships which run from 1 July to 30 June.

Athletes are awarded individual scholarships based on the following criteria:

• national and/or international ratings
• potential to achieve success at national and/or international level
• Australian citizenship (or those who have taken steps to become a citizen) and normally a resident of the State of Victoria

Successful VIS athletes with an Individual Scholarship come from sports such as badminton, boxing, fencing, judo, shooting, snowboarding, table tennis, synchronised swimming, taekwondo and many more.

Successful EAD VIS athletes with an Individual Scholarship come from sports including wheelchair basketball and rugby, cycling, lawn bowls, sailing, shooting, skiing, table tennis, tennis and water skiing.

Future Talent Program

Future Talent scholarships are for talented athletes who show outstanding potential for future success but are not yet eligible for a full VIS scholarship due to their age or selection criteria restrictions;  once identified they are provided with VIS support services to “fast track” their development.  The athletes span both Tier 1 and non-Tier 1 sports and are accountable to the Talent Transfer Coordinator.

Talent Transfer Program

The Talent Transfer program provides high performance athletes the opportunity to test their skills and attributes in other sports, with the potential of fast-tracking their development to Olympic and Paralympic success.  The program spans both Tier 1 and non-tier 1 sports.

Coaches & Services

VIS programs are facilitated by coaches of international standing who are kept at the "cutting edge" through a comprehensive coach development program.  As well as contributing their own technical and tactical expertise they coordinate the delivery of the following services to the athletes:

• sport science - fitness assessment, technique analysis, psychological counselling
• sports medicine - injury and illness prevention, treatment and rehabilitation including massage, physiotherapy, podiatry and nutrition
• career and education - personal development, education, career training and employment opportunities
• training and competition - access to training facilities, travel, competition and accommodation support