Information Resources on the Development of the
Australian Institute of Sport and the Australian Sports Commission
Prepared by Greg Blood, November 2011
This resource has been prepared to assist researchers investigating the development of the Australian Institute of Sport and the Australian Sports Commission from a number of viewpoints : history, programs & policy development, people, sports science and medicine and facilities.
TRIM Ref: 2011/208289/D
National Sport Information Centre (NSIC)
NSIC originally established in 1982 as the AIS Information Centre is an extremely rich information resource on the development of the AIS/ASC. The resources maintained by the NSIC are publically accessible and not restricted by FOI.
1. Information Resources
a. Books
Several major books cover the history of the AIS/ASC:
· The role, scope and development of recreation in Australia by John Bloomfield, Canberra, Dept. of Tourism and Recreation, 1973 (GV145.B56) – document that stated need for an AIS.
· Report of the Australian Sports Institute Study Group by Allan Coles (Chair). Canberra, AGPS, 1975 - extensive report into the need for a sports institute.
· The Quest for Excellence by Dr John Daly. Canberra, AGPS, 1991 REF GV433.A88.D35) - comprehensive list of the first ten years.
· The design and construction of the Australian Institute of Sport by National Capital Development Commission. Canberra, NCDC, 1988 (GV433.A88.D47) - information on the construction of the inaugural facilities.
· Excellence : the Australian Institute of Sport. Canberra, ASC, 1998 (REF GV433.A88.A88) - short history, pictorial and roll of honour for athletes.
· Australian Institute of Sport : celebrating excellence. Sydney, Focus Publishing, 2006 (GV675.A88) - profiles of the Best of the Best
· Australia's sporting success by John Bloomfield. Sydney, UniNSW Press, 2003 - former AIS Chairman
· More than sunshine and vegemite : success the Australian way by Jim Ferguson. Sydney, Halstead Press, 2006 - former ASC CEO
NSIC collects former/current AIS athlete biographies. These often provide an insight into their time at the AIS. To locate these biographies search the NSIC Catalogue – Books and subjects ‘Australian Institute of Sport’ and ‘Biography’.
Australian Sport Policy Documents in the Clearinghouse list major government documents that have impacted on the development of the ASC and AIS.
b. Journals/Magazines
The NSIC maintains a collection of print journals and magazines published by the AIS/ASC. To locate these titles search the NSIC Catalogue – Journals and subject ‘Australian Institute of Sport or Australian Sports Commission ‘ or authors Australian Institute of Sport and the Australian Sports Commission’. This resource provides information on sports, athletes, results, facilities, services and staff.
The AIS Bulletin 1981-1987 is an excellent information source for the first years of the AIS. Two sports science publications that highlight research – Sports Science and Medicine Quarterly (1984-1986) and Excel (1986-1992). ASC has published numerous print titles with differing titles.
Also held are printed AIS/ASC staff newsletters. These have various names but are listed in the Catalogue.
c. Annual Reports
Australian Institute of Sport Annual Report was produced for the period 1981-1988. After 1988 AIS activities are included in the Australian Sports Commission Annual Report. Annual reports are available through the Australian Sport Publications Archive.
Annual Reports of national sports organisations generally cover their relationship with the AIS and ASC in terms of funding, activities and results. This is an important source of information. These are available through the Australian Sport Publications Archive.
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d. Journal Articles
NSIC indexed Australian sport journals for the period 1988 to 2006. These articles are listed in the NSIC Catalogue and SPORTDiscus Database. Search under the subject Australian Institute of Sport or Australian Sports Commission in the Articles area of the Catalogue. The Leisure Database through Informit covers AIs between 1918 to 1988.
e. Newspaper Clippings
Newspaper stories for the period 1981 – 1997 are available on microfiche. There is a general file on the AIS and also on specific sports ie basketball, swimming etc. Between1997-2006, these clippings are stored on CD-ROM’s. There is a NSIC Catalogue for these newspaper clippings files.
Major AIS events have been captured in a newspaper file ie Drugs in Sport Inquiry (1988), Gunghahlin Drive Extension Dispute, AIS Cycling Doping Inquiry (2004)
AIS Athlete files for the period 1985-2006 have been scanned. The more prominent the athlete’s career the larger the file. Athletes with large files include – Rob De Castella, Kerry Saxby , Petria Thomas etc. After 2006, newspaper stories can be accessed through Australian and New Zealand Reference Library, Newspaper clippings were not collected after 2006.
f. Video
Physical Videos related to the AIS and ASC are stored under GV1 (AIS) and GV3 (ASC). These cover corporate videos, staff talks and news stories. SMART Talk Videos V RC1235 cover AIS sports science research and AIS reflections. Competition performance of AIS athletes can be located within the specific sports competitions.
SPIDAR contains historical video footage relating to the AIS.
g. Images
Images have been collected since the AIS started in 1981. These images are generally accessible through the Image Library. Black and White Images (incl negatives) for the period 1981 to 1988 are held in Folders. These need to be browsed to locate images of athletes, events, facilities for this period as they are not extensively indexed by the Image Library..
h. Posters
Posters were prominent in the 1980’s and 1990’s. NSIC maintains a collection of posters produced by the AIS and ASC. These are stored Poster Storage Cabinet.
i. Ephemeral – Pamphlets, Brochures
AIS and ASC has published brochures and pamphlets on programs and events. In the early period of the AIS 1981-1986, each sport published a brochure outlining its objectives, coaches and athletes. Ephemeral collection of brochures and pamphlets is useful for finding out about a program ie Aussie Sport, CAPS etc or an event ie Our Sporting Future.
j. Websites
ASC Website was first created in 1995 by the NSIC. Archived copies are available through Pandora and NSIC has archived copy of 2008 site on DVD. Good source of information on the programs and decisions (News Releases).
k. Internal Documents/Resources
Several internal documents/resources can assist:
· Chronology of the AIS/ASC – TRIM 2007/012160/D
· Chronology of AIS Sports Science / Medicine – TRIM 2010/131293/D
· Chronology of AIS/ASC Directors, Chairman and Minister’s of Sport – TRIM 2010/035477/D
· Athlete Database – documents the scholarship periods of AIS athletes. An important source for checking the AIS status on an athlete.
2. Research Topics
Major AIS/ASC research topics and the primary information resources for these topics.
· Policy Development, Budgets, Programs
· Books, Australian Government Policy Documents (list in Clearinghouse), Annual reports, ASC Budget Papers (in Australian Sport Publications Archive), ASC records, Ephemeral Material (Brochures), National Archives
· Results
· Annual reports, AIS Newsletters, AIS Website (AIS Achievements Area), NSO Annual Reports, Internal Documents on Major Competitions
· People – Athletes, Coaches, Scientists and Administrators
· AIS Websites, Annual Reports, Newsletters, Biographies, Image Library, Oral Histories (AIS & NLA), Internet (Wikipedia, NSO Websites etc)
3.
· Sports Science / Medicine
· AIS Websites, Annual Reports, NSIC Catalogue for Research Articles/Reports, Australian Sport Publications Archive fir Research Reports, Sports Science & Medicine Quarterly and Excel (AIS Publications), Image Library, Oral Histories ((AIS & NLA))
· Chronology of AIS Sports Science / Medicine – TRIM 2010/131293/D
· Facilities
· Books, Website, ASC Records, National Capital Authority Library
External Collections on AIS /ASC
1. National Film and Sound Archive - http://nfsa.gov.au/
Esoteric selection of news stories on the AIS have been supplied to the Archives by television stations. Search NFSA online catalogue. Useful for the period 1980-1990.
2. National Library of Australia - http://www.nla.gov.au/
· Sports Oral History Project
Recorded the following people with an involvement of the development of the AIS and ASC.: Robert de Castella (AIS Director), John Daly (AIS Board Member), Kevan Gosper (Inaugural AIS Chairman), Ron Harvey (ASC CEO), Dr Peter Fricker (AIS Director), Dr John Bloomfield (AIS Chairman), Prof. Allan Hahn (AIS Chief Scientist), Reinhold Batschi (AIS Rowing Coach), Wilma Shakespear (AIS Netball Coach), Greg Hartung (ASC Chairman), Megan Marcks (AIS Athlete - Rowing), Liane Tooth (AIS Athlete – Hockey), Charlie Walsh (AIS Cycling).
· Legal Deposit
Primarily printed material - books, reports and magazines published by the AIS. The NSIC should hold most of these publications.
· Pandora
Pandora has archived the ASC website at the following dates -20 Jan 2000 21 Apr 2009 and 10 Dec 2010,
Note - The NSIC holds a DVD Copy of the ASC/AIS Website in 2008 – before it transferred to Mysource Matrix.
3. National Archives - http://www.naa.gov.au/
Holds archive resources from the AIS and ASC , due to its role of managing the archives of government organisations. Historical material held includes:
· Images and film of the AIS facilities in 1980’s, international visits to the AIS. Majority of images taken by the Australian Overseas Information Service.
· Report of Study Group on Establishment of an Australian Sports Institute - AIS - National Sports Centre. This file relates to the establishment of the Australian Institute of Sport at the National Sports Centre, Canberra. he records in this series are general correspondence files of the Australian Institute of Sport (formerly the National Sports Centre). They were accumulated between 1973 and 1989. In 1989, the Australian Institute of Sport (CA 4488) was amalgamated with the Australian Sports Commission [I] (CA 4492) to form the new Australian Sports Commission [II] (CA 6812).
· AIS records become available after 30 years.
4. Parliament of Australia - http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au
Parlinfo provides fulltext access of Parliamentary information related to the AIS/ASC. This includes Bill debates, questions and statements related to. Australian Institute of Sport Bill 1986 rescinded by the Australian Sports Commission Act 1989. Parlinfo also provides access to issues surrounding the AIS including the Drugs in Sport Inquiry in the late 1980’s. Parlinfo provides access to Senate Estimates where AIS/ASC responded to questionson policy and operations.
5. ACT Heritage Library - http://www.library.act.gov.au/find/history
Heidi Smith photographic collection covering the AIS includinges images on the opening of the AIS.
6. National Capital Authority Library - http://www.nationalcapital.gov.au
This Library holds information on the development of AIS facilities in the 1980’s as it was responsible for their construction.
Current and Former Staff
The current and former staff may be best placed to assist answering historical qwuestions
· Current
o Craig Purdam (AIs 1982- )
o Patrick Hunt (AIS 1982-_
o Craig Purdam (AIS 1983-)
o Bruce Mason (AIS 1983-)
o Gavin Reynolds (AIS 1988-)
· Former
o Greg Blood (AIS/ASC 1983-2011) – located in Canberra
o Nerida Clarke (AIS/ASC 1982-1999) – located in Canberra
o Peter Bowman (AIS 1981-2000) – located in Kiama
o Jim Ferguson (ASC 1991-2000) – located in Canberra