The AIS is breaking down the barriers between sports, coaches and athletes in a bid to create greater collaboration and ensure Australia remains as one of the world leaders across different events.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The AIS invited more than 150 athletes and coaches from almost 20 different sports to an inaugural forum, bringing together some of the country's best sporting minds.
There were fears the AIS would drop off Australia's sporting landscape after the Winning Edge strategy was put in place after the Olympic Games in 2012.
Australia won just seven gold medals and finished 10th on the medal tally at the London Olympics three years ago.
It prompted a massive change, with sports given the opportunity to relocate from the Canberra campus and instead of being a home for scholarship athletes, the facilities would be used on a training-camp basis.
But officials have worked to ensure the institute continues to offer world-class facilities, sports science and conference opportunities to be an international leader.
Two-time Olympic gold-medal winning track cyclist Anna Meares was adamant the forum was crucial for team bonding ahead of the Rio Games next year.
"The access to each other is really, really important," Meares said.
"One of the things that the Australian Olympic Committee is doing really well is the Aspire program, taking athletes to athletes and coaches to coaches to share experiences and get that bonding going before we actually get to the next Olympic Games.
"It's better than getting to the village and wondering about the team. It's ultimately going to lead to better performances."
Coaches from the NRL, AFL, cricket and several Olympic sports have been in Canberra for the two-day conference.
Australian netball great Liz Ellis hosted the event while Meares, diver Matthew Mitcham, dual international Ellyse Perry, basketballer Erin Phillips and coaching guru Ric Charlesworth opened up on their experiences.
The AIS has hosted coaching conferences in the past, but the new format was designed to bridge the gap for athletes.
In the past the AIS has been a hub for scholarship athletes who are trying to perform on the world stage. That has changed to offer a new cutting edge multi-faceted program.
"If you recall the reasons the AIS was first implemented was to support Australia's aspirations on the international stage," said AIS boss Matt Favier.
"When it was first opened in 1981 it had a particular way of doing that. That was a long time ago and since then, it has achieved a lot for the model that was in place up until the London Olympics.
"We've changed that to reflect the increased competition that is around. I spent nine years in the UK - nations like Great Britain, Japan, Germany and France are among our closest competitors and have changed the way they operate.
"We can't assume that by continuing to do the same thing that we'll be competitive. We believe there is absolute value in the role of the AIS and we're looking to adjust.
"This [forum] is a reflection of the change, we are operating differently ... it's brutal out there and we want the best system that our athletes can be proud of."
Meares was the AIS athlete of the year in 2007 and 2011 and insisted it was important to the success of Australian athletes on the international stage.
"I don't think the AIS has ever had a question of relevance or lack of importance," Meares said.
"It's one thing to be an individual athlete, a lot of people follow us at Olympic Games or whatever the competition is ... it's sometimes forgotten the scope of the support network behind you. It goes right through to the sports scientists and everyone."
