The basic philosophy of the VIS is embodied in its motto “Success in Sport and Life”. Athletes are encouraged to adopt a balanced approach to sporting excellence by developing their life skills, education and career prospects along with their sport.

Training programs are centred around the needs of individual athletes who are encouraged to take responsibility for determining their own goals and development under the guidance of expert coaches.

By being innovative and creative in the preparation of athletes, VIS programs offer an environment where athletes can perform at their best.

VIS Sports and Scholarship Programs
VIS programs provide Victoria’s elite athletes with access to advanced coaching, sport science and sports medicine services, career and education advice, and training and competition support.

This support is available through Tier 1 and Tier 2 programs, or by offering scholarships directly to individual athletes (Tier 3).

Tier 1 Programs
Tier 1 sports programs have tenure with the VIS of up to four years. They are coordinated by a full time coach or program manager. Eligible athletes are offered annual scholarships on the basis of recommendations from their sport and have access to all program services.

Tier 1 Programs include athletics (track and field), baseball, cycling, golf, gymnastics - women's, men's and women's hockey, netball, rowing, soccer - men's, squash, swimming, and triathlon.

Tier 2 Programs
Tier 2 sports programs have tenure with the VIS of one year. Athletes may be offered a scholarship or training agreement by the program or, in most cases, apply for a Tier 3 program scholarship.

Tier 2 Programs include aerial skiing, badminton, basketball, cricket - women's, diving, gymnastics - men's, shooting, soccer - women's and softball.

The VIS offers Tier 1 or 2 program support to sports based upon the following criteria:

• number of registered competing athletes
• number of representative or ranked athletes at national or international level
• compatibility with modern high performance sport programs
• administrative structure and financial viability of the sport
• community and media profile of the sport

Tier 3 Programs
Support through the Tier 3 Individual Athlete Scholarship Program is offered annually to athletes from sports which do not have Tier 1 or 2 programs and, in some cases, to athletes from Tier 2 programs. Assistance is also offered to elite athletes with a disability.

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, cricket - women's, diving, equestrian, fencing, gymnastics - men's, judo, lawn bowls, sailing, shooting, skiing, snowboarding, soccer - women's, softball, table tennis, synchronised swimming, taekwondo and water polo.

Successful VIS athletes with an Individual Elite Athletes with a Disability Scholarship come from sports including basketball, cycling, lawn bowls, rugby, sailing, shooting, skiing, swimming, table tennis, tennis and water skiing.

Coaches and 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