Jessica Gallagher | Defying limits and inspiring generations
December 14, 2023From alpine skier, to track and field athlete, to rower and now cyclist, Jessica Gallagher's history is an impressively long one with the 37-year old osteopath training towards the Paris Paralympics. Gallagher was honoured at the RMIT University graduation evening, sharing with the 2023 graduates her incredible story.
The Bond of Brotherhood and Taekwondo | Tom and Will Afonczenko
December 7, 2023Brothers Tom and Will Afonczenko competed with and against each other throughout their taekwondo careers. Following their recent decisions to retire, the former VIS athletes reflect upon their sporting journeys and muse on life beyond the mat.
Trailblazing Tapper - International Day of People with a Disability
December 1, 2023VIS Para athlete, Melissa Tapper continues to lead in and out of the arena. Whilst dominating the global table tennis scene, Tapper is also developing new ways of spreading her positive impacts to communities and the environment.
The Victorian Institute of Sport: Where high performance and a purposeful life meet
November 30, 2023VIS athletes display how they are excelling in their personal endeavours outside of their chosen sports. These students have struck the balance between managing their sporting and personal commitments which has been recognised by the tertiary institutions they attend.
The Smiling Assassin | Saffron Tambyrajah
November 29, 2023VIS taekwondo star, Saffron Tambyrajah demonstrates an unwavering passion and commitment to improving her taekwondo skillset. Her desire to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics is indicative of her motivation to challenge herself and perform at the highest level of her game.
Climbing to the top | Oceana Mackenzie booked for Paris
November 28, 2023Climber Oceana Mackenzie has qualified for her second Olympic Games after winning the boulder and lead at the Oceania selection trials in Melbourne over the weekend.
Diamonds take out the 2023 VIS Award of Excellence
November 27, 2023Diamonds team members, Liz Watson, Jo Weston and Kiera Austin have etched their names into VIS history at the Award of Excellence gala event on Thursday 23 November.
Resilience and Perseverance: Lina Lei's Journey to Paralympic Table Tennis Success
November 27, 2023VIS Para table tennis scholarship holder, Lina Lei's story is one of dedication to a single sport and two countries. Lei has lived in Australia for seven years, after migrating from China, but 2023 is her 29th year as a professional table tennis athlete.
Laura Davoli | An emerging star of wheelchair basketball
November 21, 2023VIS Wheelchair Basketballer, Laura Davoli, lost both her legs as a 7-year-old after contracting a rare bacterial infection. She found her passion and independence through wheelchair basketball.
Thinking like an Olympian
November 17, 2023It takes a village to raise an [athlete] and an even more dedicated community to raise an Olympian and Paralympian. For the support staff at the VIS, this sometimes involves putting ourselves in the athletes shoes in order to understand what it takes to reach the top.
