Innovation in the spotlight at AIS national symposium

Opening today, the Sports Technology and Applied Research Symposium (STARS) will emphasise the Australian Sport’s Commission's commitment to drive thought leadership, innovation, and world’s best practices as we head towards Brisbane 2032.

First held in front of just a few dozen attendees from Australia’s high performance system, STARS has grown to attract hundreds of Australia's sports industry and university partners.

The fifth edition of the three-day virtual event aims to provide the audience with world-leading ideas, concepts and insights that ensure Australia’s high performance system takes full advantage of Australia’s ‘10 years of opportunity’ in sport.

STARS organiser and Australian Institute of Sport’s Research and Development Manager, Tim Kelly advised “STARS was originally developed to share technology projects being undertaken in the high performance system, with the pandemic leading to the first ever virtual STARS.

“The event has now evolved into an exciting exhibition of new and emerging ideas in sports technology and applied research, and this year has attracted more than 400 registrations.

"We are excited to expose all those attending to innovative thinking, innovative practice and ‘horizon technologies, as well as share the latest developments in high performance applied research and technology.”

Opening the conference is one of Australia’s most celebrated Olympic rowing champions, Kim Brennan AM. After winning triple Olympic gold in 2016, Brennan transferred her sporting skills to become an emerging leader in technology implementation for management consultancy EY.

Since then, she has led large-scale technology implementation projects in defence and national security and worked with some of the world’s most forward-thinking companies and people, gaining insights into how ‘innovation culture’ is developed within organisations.

As Australia prepares for take-off on the green and gold runway, Brennan will propose ways the national high performance sports system can embrace an innovation mindset, and what can be learned from leading organisations outside of sport.

Another event highlight will be the Massachusetts Institute of Technology sports lab sessions focused on ‘how universities can solve sporting challenges’ and ‘sport performance optimisation, working with the leaders in sport to support their competitive edge’.

Another key feature will be a Q&A session with Head Coach of the Griffith University Swim Club and a member of the Australian Dolphins coaching team Michael Bohl OAM. Bohl has coached swimmers to the podium at every Summer Olympics from 2008 to 2020, including Australia’s most decorated Olympian Emma McKeon.

Kelly added “we have such brilliant people in our national high performance system and there is a need to unleash their innovative capabilities, and I am confident that this event will provide that opportunity.

“I think the future is very bright.”

AIS Arena
The AIS has also benefitted from an allocation of $15 million in funding from the Federal Budget for upgrades at Canberra's AIS Arena.

The Australian Sports Commission is confident the refurbishment of the largest indoor venue in Canberra will offer a greater spectator experience while the WNBL's Canberra Capitals are reported to be hoping that the venue will be operational for their 2023/24 season games.

Click here for more information on the 2022 Sports Technology and Applied Research Symposium (STARS) which is running as virtual event from 26th to 28th October.

Image: Former Olympic rowing champion and now management consultant Kim Brennan will address the Symposium.