The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) has launched a new Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement Division to assist athletes to thrive as individuals during their sporting careers as well as after they’ve retired.
The Division began operations with a summit, Beyond the Podium, in Canberra this week.
Announcing the new Division, Minister for Sport, Senator Bridget McKenzie said there was a need to ensure national sporting organisations were helping to nurture their athletes, both within the sport and in their lives outside the competition arena.
Senator McKenzie said the Division would provide a platform for discussion and learning and would develop tools for athletes to thrive as individuals.
“It’s crucial that we learn from the rich experiences of athletes who’ve been at the top of their game and ridden the roller coaster of elite sport,” Senator McKenzie said.
“Those who have ‘been there and done that’ are an invaluable part of this process.”
She said the summit involved more than 200 participants from around Australia and internationally.
“The summit brought experts from a wide range of sporting backgrounds together to develop action plans for athlete wellbeing.
“It is hoped that this will ensure that athlete wellbeing is a critical factor in high performance planning now and into the future.”
Senator McKenzie said athlete expertise and engagement were key focuses of Beyond the Podium with some of Australia’s most respected and accomplished high performers providing athlete voices in the room.
“Once our elite athletes hit the national stage they become role models and ambassadors for their individual sports,” she said.
“However, with that comes responsibility and attention that our athletes may not have the tools or experience to deal with. They have been focused for so long on winning and achieving and being their very best as an elite athlete.”
The Minister said there was a need to look at the expectations that were put on athletes — “what we see as success”.
