Queensland Academy of Sport to transition to a Statutory Body

Ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Queensland Government has announced that it will be transitioning the Queensland Academy of Sport to a Statutory Body.

The new model is aimed at strengthening the Academy’s ability to support elite athletes “to go for gold” and provide best practise training opportunities.

Since 1991, the Academy has helped young Queenslanders achieve at the highest level.

In its first year, the Academy of Sport supported 35 scholarship holders, including Susie O’Neill, Kieren Perkins and Steven Bradbury. In 2023, that number has jumped to around 750.

In just over a month, 180 Queensland sports stars will represent the nation at the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, with selection still occurring. That’s a record number of Queenslanders representing Team Australia.

The move follows a review into the organisation and consultation with key stakeholders, which determined that a Statutory Body arrangement would better serve Queensland’s sporting superstars.

Peter Conde, recent Chief Executive of Australian Institute of Sport shared “this decision is indeed a watershed moment for Queensland sport and one that firmly establishes the foundation for QAS to best serve sports, Queensland’s top athletes and our future world-class athletes, all the way to the 2032 Games and well beyond.

“Great, transformative work has been done over the past three years and this Government decision will cement QAS’s position as the leading state sport academy/ institute in the country and as a true world leader.

“It’s status as an independent government body, overseen by an appropriately skilled Board, will allow the QAS to act with the agility, efficiency and flexibility required to perform at the very highest level.”

A new Bill will be introduced to Parliament to ensure the Statutory Body’s Board will be independent and have the skills and diversity to perform its functions effectively and efficiently.

The Board, led by a chairperson, will ensure the strategic vision, compliance with regulations, and achievement of performance targets of the Queensland Academy of Sport, and the Board members will provide advice, participate in committees, and represent the needs of the sporting community and athletes.

A process will determine a Chief Executive who will align Queensland Academy of Sport operations with the Board’s directives.

Operations at the Queensland Academy of Sport will continue as normal while the passage of legislation takes place and the organisation transitions from government to Statutory Body.

QLD Sport Minister Michael Healy advised “for more than 30 years the Queensland Academy of Sport established itself as one of the most highly regarded institutes for the support of elite athletes anywhere in the world.

“I’d like to pay tribute to all the hard-working staff who have contributed to the incredible success of the QAS, including the 40 who have been selected to support the Australian Olympic and Paralympic teams in Paris, and wish them all well for the future.”

Olympic Gold Medallist Cate Campbell added "I welcome the move to set up an independent board to oversee the running of the QAS. High performance requires innovation and agility, the ability to adapt and react quickly.

“The creation of this statutory body will ensure that the QAS can remain at the forefront of high performance in sport.

“Which, in the lead into the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, will allow us to develop and nurture some of the best athletes not just in Australia, but in the world."

Dolphins Head Coach, Wayne Bennett enthused “This decision to unleash the QAS is a milestone.

“I cannot wait to see what the QAS continues to deliver for our Queensland and Australian athletes in the build up to 2032 under a new Statutory Body after a thorough process led by the Premier has given sport in this state a good boost.”

Former QAS Executive Director and Double Gold Medalist Alex Baumann enthused “This is a ‘Game Changer’!

“Moving the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) to a Statutory Body will ensure that Queensland provides the best environment for our athletes and coaches to succeed at the highest level.

“The opportunity for the QAS to have the agility to adapt and make urgent decisions in a fast-changing high performance sport environment will provide for an enduring legacy in the lead up to the 2032 Games and beyond.”

Alex Newton, Chief Executive Diving Australia also shared “I commend the Queensland Government on their decision to make the QAS an independent statutory body.

“This will provide the QAS with the agility and flexibility to respond to the needs of the athletes and sports as we lead into a home Games in 2032.

“Diving Australia look forward to building on the strong partnership we have with the QAS, to support our athletes to deliver on the world stage.”

Image. QAS-supported athletes continued to make waves in June at Australian Swimming Trials Credit Queensland Academy of Sport