The Federal Government has proposed moving the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) from Canberra to Queensland ­– a move the ACT Government opposes. Yvette Berry, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Sport and Recreation, today convened a roundtable of peak local sporting bodies to discuss the AIS’s future, and to help inform the ACT Government’s submission into the federal Independent Review of the AIS Infrastructure.

“Attendees reinforced the importance of the AIS to our local community but also to the nation, and that a move out of the capital would be a loss to all sports,” Ms Berry said.

Attendees said that the AIS made a significant contribution to local sporting communities, and that access to the AIS facilities and the proximity to elite athletes and support staff inspired sporting stars of the future.

“We heard about the critical nature of the AIS to the sporting ecosystem,” Ms Berry said. “It has been a part of our local community since it opened in 1981; however, its impacts spread far wider to the region, the nation and internationally.

“Our sporting organisations spoke about the sense of pride and prestige athletes and teams have when they come to train in the nation’s capital with the best of the best. This is not only important for the athletes but all those who support them, the coaches, the sports scientists, and administrators.

“We also heard about the important role of the AIS in Australia’s soft diplomacy, where visiting teams and international delegations can engage with our nation’s sporting culture and create new connections. This could not happen in any other place in Australia.

“Our sports see the potential of the AIS as part of a broader health, sports, and education precinct in Bruce, and with greater connection into the local community. This Review has the opportunity to highlight that investing in the facility is the best course of action for the AIS, rather than moving it.

“The AIS is a national institution, and it should remain in the nation capital. We look forward to participating in the Commonwealth’s review”.

Representatives from Rowing ACT, Netball ACT, Basketball ACT, Cricket ACT, Swimming ACT, Gymnastics ACT, AFL Canberra, Capital Athletics, AusCycling, Softball Australia, the Brumbies, the National Capital Education Tourism Project, ACT Property Council, UC Capitals, and ACT Handball Association attended.

“For the sports who have the national body based in Canberra or have a Centre of Excellence, you see the real benefits,” Sarah Davoren, Rowing ACT’s operations manager, said. “Proximity to the elite athletes has a real impact down to the club level and inspires younger athletes.”

Nicole Bowles, CEO of Basketball ACT, asked: “How do we make the AIS a centrepiece of community and fandom? How does a new facility keep its high-performance facilities but will allow for people to come and have a range of experiences on the site? How does it become a sport and a health hub? How do we link the AIS through to UC, CIT? It would be good to reinvigorate the storytelling. The average user wants to be inspired by our sportspeople.”

“We should be thinking about how we can integrate the AIS into the nation’s capital and all the things we have to offer,” Shane Martin, executive director of the ACT Property Council, said. “When visitors come, we want them to experience more than the training camp.”

Representatives for Alicia Payne MP and Senator David Pocock were also present.

Senator Pocock told the AIS Reviewers yesterday how critical it is that the AIS remains in Canberra.

In collaboration with local sporting bodies, the ACT Government will present a submission to the review in the coming days.