Australian Institute of Sport establishes inaugural Wellbeing and Engagement Advisory Group

The Australian Institute of Sport has established a dedicated Advisory Group to support Australia’s Wellbeing and Engagement Network which has grown to over 60 providers embedded in able and para sports across the country.

Made up of eight Wellbeing and Engagement (W&E) Managers from different sporting organisations and institutes, including Paddle Australia's Matt Murphy and Leesa Gallard from the Victorian Institute of Sport, the Advisory Group will drive collaboration across the W&E Network and provide system-wide support and advocacy.

Archery Australia’s High Performance Wellbeing Manager and W&E Advisory Group member Rhian Bird said she is excited to further her contribution to Australia’s world-leading W&E Network and shared “It is an honour to be named as one of the inaugural members of this group, to chair the first series of meetings, and to work alongside a passionate and diverse range of providers to provide current and practical advice, knowledge and support to the AIS and greater W&E Network.

“This is a real opportunity for us to come together to innovate and help the Australian sports system to truly harness wellbeing for performance outcomes.”

Gallard said she was grateful to be part of the inaugural group and added “I am eager to make a meaningful contribution to shaping the future direction of the W&E Network by providing an avenue to listen and hear from our network.”

The group will serve a two-year tenure, which AIS Wellbeing Network Lead Bianca Fermi said will be critical to Horizons 1 and 2 of Australia’s High Performance Sport Strategy.

“The breadth and diversity of knowledge, skills and experiences of the Advisory Group are reflective of a network of wellbeing practitioners who are a fundamental part of implementing the HP 2032+ Strategy and Win Well. I’m excited about the work we’ll be doing with them,” she added.

W&E Advisory Group 2023-2025

• Anthony Quinn, NSW Institute of Sport

• Eliza Stankovic-Mowie, Athletics Australia

• Jason Tutt, Volleyball Australia

• Leesa Gallard, VIC Institute of Sport

• Matt Murphy, Paddle Australia

• Michelle Mitchell, Surfing Australia

• Rhian Bird, Archery Australia

• Ruth Trevallion, Rowing Australia

The Advisory Group held initial discussions at Surfing Australia Headquarters in September and will continue to meet monthly until the end of 2025.

Learn more about the AIS W&E initiatives. 

Image. The inaugural W&E Advisory Group met at Surfing Australia Headquarters. (from left) Anthony Quinn (NSWIS), Ruth Trevallion (Rowing and Equestrian), Jason Tutt (Volleyball), Matt Murphy (Paddle), Leesa Gallard (VIS), Eliza Stankovic-Mowle (Athletics), Michelle Mitchell (Surfing) and Rhian Bird (Archery).