Senator the Hon. George Brandis S.C.

Minister for the Arts and Sport

The Federal Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator George Brandis today launched the new Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Hub which will play a major part in preparing Australian athletes for success at the 2008 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond.

‘The AIS Hub is a key element of the Australian Government’s $74 million commitment to the redevelopment of the AIS to ensure our athletes and teams gain access to state-of-the-art training facilities, coaching expertise and support in sport science and medicine’, Senator Brandis said.

Opening the $17 million Hub today, Senator Brandis said this new facility will provide a tremendous boost to the Institute’s ability to service and support Australian athletes and teams.

The AIS Hub integrates a range of sports science specialists under one roof including sports medicine, physiology, physical therapies, nutrition, psychology, skills acquisition, biomechanics and performance analysis.

Together with AIS coaches and sport programs staff this facility will provide an enhanced collaborative environment to help maximise Australian high performance sport.

There is also provision for national coach and athlete career and education services.

Senator Brandis said the AIS Hub boasts new improved training facilities. ‘The AIS hub features a 110-metre indoor running track (with jumping pit), new physiology laboratories and an enhanced strength and conditioning gymnasium.

In an increasingly competitive international environment, the AIS Hub provides a much-needed boost to Australian athletes and teams preparing for success on the international stage.’

MEDIA CONTACTS

Senator Brandis media contact: Travis Bell 0448 950 248

Friday, 30 March 2007

30 - 07