Commonwealth Games Australia and the AIS today announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding in the lead up to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The MoU will see CGA and the AIS continue to partner on a number of key areas for Gold Coast 2018 including recovery services, performance planning and analysis, and the new Sidelines Champions program.

CGA CEO Craig Phillips made the announcement alongside Australian Sports Commission (ASC) CEO Kate Palmer at CGA’s Dare to Dream session at the AIS in Canberra today.

Phillips said CGA and AIS had already been working strongly together and the MoU was another step to ensuring Australian athletes have the best possible chance of success at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

“Success on the Gold Coast will be a team effort,” Phillips said.

“At Commonwealth Games Australia, we believe our best chance of success is to work together with key partners in the Australian sports system, including the Australian Institute of Sport, which has played an integral part in Australia’s sporting success for a long period of time.

“We are fortunate that we can utilise the skills and knowledge of people within the AIS to assist our athletes in the lead up to and during the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in areas like sports planning, analysis and recovery.

CGA and the AIS have already been working in partnership on several initiatives focused on athlete funding and support.

CGA has contributed an extra $2M worth of direct funding to athletes via the AIS program, dAIS, which invests more than $13M a year directly in athletes.

The Sideline Champions program has been designed by the AIS and CGA to maximise support and minimise distractions for athletes by involving their family and significant others during the entire journey.

“A home Commonwealth Games is such a proud celebration for Australian athletes and their loved ones,” Palmer said. “The Sideline Champions program is about inviting families and partners of our Aussie athletes to be part of the journey before, during and after the Commonwealth Games. These support networks have an important role to play because they assist athletes to focus on their preparation. We see it as a competitive advantage for the athletes and also a way to foster community spirit among the wider support networks.

“I commend Commonwealth Games Australia for their collaborative approach to the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Partnerships like this, which involve valuable input from sports and the National Institute Network, make the sector stronger.”

The MoU with the AIS represents the second major partnership for CGA in the lead up to Gold Coast 2018, following the announcement of a formal partnership with the Australian Paralympic Committee earlier in the year.

ENDS……

FOR FURTHER MEDIA INFORMATION

Please contact:

Jonathon Monasso
E: Jonathon.monasso@commonwealthgames.com.au

Chris Wilson
E: chris.wilson@ausport.gov.au