Government support for high performance sport research

Federal Minister for Sport Kate Lundy has welcomed the new Director of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), Matt Favier, by announcing $1 million in funding for research into high performance sport.

Minister Lundy stated "it is a great pleasure to welcome Matt to the AIS and also announce this important high performance funding research.

"The Government is committed to ensuring the AIS remains a leader of pioneering high performance sport research, and elite athlete training and development.

"This high performance funding will ensure the AIS can continue to support our elite athletes."

The money has been made available through the Australian Governmentï¾s Pathways to Success Initiative to support new research and has been allocated into three separate funds ï¾ the Sport Innovation Fund, the High Performance Sports Research Fund and the Big Idea Fund. A total of 44 successful research proposals were identified to support our athletes and build on the innovative research projects already underway at the AIS.

Senator Lundy has "while we celebrate the performances of our elite athletes, often the research, science and innovation work that unfolds behind the scenes is overlooked.

"In such an important year for Australian sport, research has the potential to turn the performances of our athletes into medals at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"At the Olympics, what separates a medal winning performance and placing 4th or 5th can be extremely small - this is where high performance research can make a real difference."

The funding announcement coincided with former AIS scholarship holder, Matt Favier, commencing his job as AIS Director, having returned to Australia after eight years in the United Kingdom, including two years with UK Sport.

Minister Lundy concluded "(Matt) has excellent credentials as a leader in the field of high performance sport.

"His decision to come home at such a crucial time in the lead up to the London Olympics is an endorsement of the international regard of the AIS."

Favier said innovative research was a cornerstone of the AIS's work and critical to sporting excellence, stating "it is great to be back home and I look forward to seeing the results of this research funding.

"This round of research funding will result in money being spent with key high performance partners in the national institute network."

In his position as Head of High Performance Solutions at UK Sport, Favier played a significant role in shaping strategic investment of funding to UK sporting bodies as well as developing high performance strategies and solutions for sports.