The VIS is justifiably proud of its many Olympic, Paralympic and World Champions who have not only succeeded in sport but also in life and, in so doing, have acted as positive role models for others.
About the Victorian Institute of Sport
Many of Australia’s best athletes have been touched by the VIS. The training they have received has propelled them on to the world stage where their success has been nothing short of phenomenal. The VIS is justifiably proud of its many Olympic, Paralympic and World Champions who have not only succeeded in sport but also in life and, in so doing, have acted as positive role models for others.
Background
The VIS was set up to assist the development of Victoria’s best athletes. It was established in 1990 by the State Government as a private trustee company, with its Board of Directors appointed by the Victorian Minister for Sport.
Premises
The VIS is located at Olympic Park, Melbourne. Formerly known as the Glasshouse, the facility was the site of the swimming pool for the 1956 Olympic Games. It was renovated for the VIS to provide office space, sport science and medicine facilities and meeting rooms, as well as a large gymnasium, a four lane 25m swimming pool, a running track and a theatrette.
Funding
The VIS is funded by the State Government through Sport and Recreation Victoria, the Commonwealth Government through the Australian Sports Commission and numerous corporate sector sponsors.
Facilities
The VIS is a non-residential institute, which utilises Melbourne’s outstanding sporting facilities, to allow high performance athletes to live and train in Melbourne, the sporting capital of Australia.
Programs
VIS programs are conducted in partnership with State Sporting Associations.
Athletes
Almost 400 athletes from a wide range of sports participate in VIS programs. Both able-bodied athletes and athletes with a disability have scholarships.
Support Services
Advanced and specialised coaching, sport science and sports medicine services, career and education advice, and training and competition support are provided to VIS athletes.
Partnerships
The VIS has close associations with sporting organisations, schools and universities, and private clinics and practitioners, ensuring that athletes receive optimal benefits.
National Programs
Several sports have established National Training Centre programs at the VIS to enable many of Australia’s best athletes to prepare for international competition.
Regional Programs
Emerging elite athletes from country Victoria are assisted by Regional Academies of Sport, located around Victoria.
Olympic Success
Thirty Victorians have become Olympic Champions since the inception of the VIS, before which only 12 Victorian athletes had ever succeeded at this level. The VIS contribution to the national Olympic and Paralympic medal tally is always a significant one.
Paralympic Success
VIS athletes have won 116 medals at Paralympic Games level, including 17 in Barcelona (1992), 10 in Atlanta (1996), 39 in Sydney (2000), 29 in Athens (2004) 18 in Beijing (2008) and three in Vancouver (2010).
Non-Olympic Success
VIS athletes have achieved international success in non-Olympic sports such as netball, cricket, squash and golf.
VIS Award Winners
Winners of the prestigious VIS Award of Excellence include Olympic and/or World Champions such as Catherine Freeman (Athletics), Peter Antonie and the “Oarsome Foursome” (Rowing), Daniel Kowalski, Matt Welsh and Leisel Jones (Swimming), Sarah Fitz-Gerald (Squash), Tom King and Mark Turnbull (Sailing), Alisa Camplin (Aerial Skiing), Drew Ginn and James Tomkins (Rowing), Katie Mactier (Cycling), Glenn Ashby (Sailing) and Cadel Evans (Cycling).
International Profile
Interest in the VIS model of elite athlete development has attracted athletes, coaches and administrators to Melbourne, to study the VIS methods for success.
Ahead for the VIS
The VIS is excited about what lies ahead in the coming years, including the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London, and the many World Championship events for the range of sports involving VIS athletes.
The VIS acknowledges the financial support of the Australian Sports Commission for National Training Centre programs, and the Australian Olympic Committee for its endorsement of Olympic Training Centres.
