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 know 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 Organisations.
Athletes Over 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 Academy of Sport programs, supported by the VIS.
Olympic Success Twenty six (26) 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 95 medals at Paralympic Games level, including 17 in Barcelona (1992), 10 in Atlanta (1996), 39 in Sydney (2000) and 29 in Athens (2004).
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 and Matt Welsh (Swimming), Sarah Fitz-Gerald (Squash), Tom King and Mark Turnbull (Sailing), Alisa Camplin (Aerial Skiing), Drew Ginn and James Tomkins (Rowing), Katie Mactier (Cycling), and Glenn Ashby (Sailing).
International Profile Interest in the VIS model of elite athlete development has attracted athletes, coaches and administrators to Melbourne, to study and participate in its programs
Ahead for the VIS The VIS is excited about what is ahead in the next few years including the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
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.
Beijing Olympic Games 2008 The next Olympics for VIS athletes
