Annual Report | 2016 - 2017 Contents • Australian Sports Commission Report • President’s Report • CEO Report • Finance Report • Member Organisation Reports • Affiliation Reports REPORT Australian Sports Commission John Wylie AM - Chair Message from the Australian Sports Commission The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) thanks all of our partner national sporting organisations (NSOs) for your continued hard work and commitment to excellence. All of you understand innately the importance of sport in Australian life. It’s much more than a source of national identity and pride, it’s the fabric that binds us together - a The ASC’s Sporting Schools program has now reached more common language for all, with multiplier benefits in health, than 5,600 primary schools around Australia and has education, social cohesion and the economy. already begun a targeted program for high schools. It is vital to ensure physical education is re-emphasised in the There were many great sporting events to celebrate during national school curriculum. To this end, the ASC has been the course of last year – the launch of both the AFL doing ground-breaking work on physical literacy for Women’s competition and the National Netball League with children and youth and we look forward to rolling this out prime-time TV coverage, our most successful winter sports nationally in the year ahead. season ever on the world stage, and fairytale victories against the odds for Cronulla in the NRL and the Western As the national leadership organisation for sport in Bulldogs in the AFL. Australia, the ASC was delighted when our new Minister for Sport the Hon. Greg Hunt recently proposed a National Last year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games underscored the Sports Plan, the preparation of which will be led by the ASC. challenge however for Australia in retaining its status as one This will create, for the first time, a comprehensive of the world’s pre-eminent sporting nations, given rising blueprint for Australian sport. It’s an outstanding initiative competition from developed and developing nations alike. and we thank the Minister for his leadership and vision. We We must keep innovating, being bold and willing to change hope all NSOs take the opportunity to contribute their views both on and off the field if we are to succeed, not just in to the plan. Olympic and Paralympic sports but across the sporting spectrum. Most of you will know that this year the ASC welcomed a new CEO Kate Palmer, a talented sports leader, who has We appreciate the willingness of NSOs to embrace this quickly built excellent relationships with sports and is challenge. We commend athletes for their dedicated embracing the challenges ahead with an inspiring commitment to training ahead of the PyeongChang 2018 enthusiasm. Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games and, further ahead, the Tokyo Finally, I say a big thank you to the army of volunteers – 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. parents, coaches, officials and administrators - who contribute their time and services for the good of Australian One of the most important long-term challenges for our sport. You bring community strength, passion and great country is to help our children be physically active, to value to the identity, productivity, cohesion and health of participate in sport and enjoy its lifelong benefits. our nation. The ASC wishes you every success in the year ahead. We look forward to working closely with you for the common good of Australian sport. REPORT Sport Inclusion Australia President Wayne Bird Welcome to the 2017 Annual General Meeting. This has been a hectic year, full of many highlights and I have pleasure in presenting my report to the 32nd Annual General Meeting. My report is brief as Robyn has prepared a more detailed overview of our year. In addition to the planning and engagement strategies surrounding the INAS Global Games in 2019, we also my Presidency with Sport Inclusion Australia. I wish Rob successfully conducted the INAS Conference and General Peak, the newly appointed Chair, every success. Assembly in Brisbane in April this year. This historic INAS meeting saw a restructure of the Governing Board and Finally, I want to thank the Sport Inclusion Australia Board governance changes which will consolidate the who have provided extensive support to myself as the organisation into the future. The 70 delegates from 32 President and the staff. We want to make special countries visited proposed venues for the 2019 Global mention of Deidre Anderson who is not seeking re- Games, attended a civic reception hosted by the Lord election and sincerely thank her for her incredible Mayor of Brisbane and enjoyed a memorable INAS/Life contribution to the Board, we have certainly benefitted Stream Awards ceremony. We were able to showcase not from her vision and skills. We wish her well in her future only the beautiful City of Brisbane, but share our vision of endeavours. I also want to thank all of the State Member social inclusion through sport with all attending. A special Organisations, who are in fact the backbone of the thanks to Cathy Wilson and her team at Life Stream organisation, for the continued work you do to provide for Australia for their efforts to make the INAS General our athlete members. Finally, to Robyn and her staff, Assembly a success. Kellie, Michael, Jenny, Samantha and Greg for the Another highlight has been the work we have completed wonderful work they have done. in China through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Thank you all and best wishes. Trade - Asian Sport Partnership. We are delighted that Kelly Bowen has joined us to teach basketball to children Wayne Bird with a disability and coach the coaches in Shenzhen, the President sister city of Brisbane. This has led to Sport Inclusion Australia building a strong relationship with National Paralympic Committee China and later this month we will conduct an eligibility forum for in excess of 30 Chinese psychologists to ensure that athletes with an intellectual disability have access to International pathways. We also look forward to seeing China compete in National events here and the Global Games in Brisbane. you and good luck to Liz as she embarks on the next stage of her life. Due to my work commitments, I have had to cut down on a few of my commitments. I did not seek re-election to the INAS Governing Board early in the year and have recently stepped down as Chair from the Global Games It’s About Sport Sports Company. I will still stay closely involved through REPORT Sport Inclusion Australia CEO Welcome to the 32nd Annual General Meeting of Sport Inclusion Australia , our first full year under the Sport Inclusion Australia banner. The rebranding has continued to provide a strong platform for change and innovation and combined with strong strategic goals has provided us with direction and a myriad of initiatives in the 201 6/2017 year and I have pleasure in providing my report. Coordinating the foundation blocks for the 2019 INAS Governance Global Games, employing a few additional staff, working Sport Inclusion Australia has dedicated time identifying across Victoria following the merge with VICSRAPID, how to effectively utilise the resources, while raising the conducting forums, consolidating the NEXT GEN ATHLETE profile of the organisation and our unique philosophy. project and development of the Asian Sport Partnership in Ensuring that we meet governance statutory compliance Shenzhen China has added to the enormity of the year. requirements remains a key target, however we constantly do this highlighting our organisational size and capacity. We are delighted with our ongoing relationship with the State Government of Victoria through Sport and The NEXT GEN ATHLETE Grant and Scholarship program Recreation Victoria which commenced last financial year has been a fantastic initiative. We have worked closely and we were delighted to welcome the Sport Minister this past twelve months with our Queensland Member Eren to the Opening of the Australian Tennis Organisation, Life Stream Australia to deliver this crucial Championships this year We acknowledge, Jason Calleja engagement strategy for the 2019 INAS Global Games. and Tim Burke for their ongoing commitment to inclusion The NGA program will leave a lasting legacy demonstrating of all Victorians into sport. how sport can play a more significant role in the inclusion of people with an intellectual impairment into the Community. The ASC remains our major sponsor having provided 15% of our funding for 2016/2017 - $100,000. ASC personnel Our Asian Sport Partnership funded through the continue to provide invaluable guidance regarding policy Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been and governance matters. We pass on our sincere thanks incredibly successful. It has not only provided a vehicle to to Simon Hollingsworth for his tenure as CEO until share best practice regarding inclusive sport, but to assist September 2016 and welcome Kate Palmer to the role. the China Paralympic Committee with International Kate commenced in January this year and has already eligibility requirements for INAS and Paralympic events. made a huge impact. We look forward to working with This is another engagement strategy which will potentially Kate to ensure that inclusion becomes core business for see China compete in future national inclusive events sport in Australia. We also thank other ASC staff, in including the 2019 INAS Global Games. particular Matthew Warr and Natalie Brown. Our main administration secretariat remains in Benalla, however we also have Jenny Leach, General Manager Sport Inclusion Australia and Greg Dunk, General Manager Global Games Sports Company, GGSC, working part time and remotely from Brisbane. We welcome Jenny back after nine months maternity leave and congratulate her and Adam on the birth of their first child.