Australian Sports Commission: Beyond the podium: Innovation and inclusion powering the future of Australian sport
- Australian Fitness and Health
- Oct 1
- 6 min read
Australia is reimagining the future of sport through innovation, inclusion, and athlete wellbeing. From cutting-edge recovery tools for Para athletesto AI-driven performance insights and world-first support for athletes with children, these initiatives are shaping a more supportive and successful sporting landscape across Australia.
How AIS engineering is transforming recovery for Para athletes
Athlete recovery is a vital part of high performance sport, yet for Para athletes, it also needs to be accessible which is where engineering can have a big impact.
As Australia’s Paralympic team were gearing up for the Paris 2024 Games, the Australian Institute of Sport’s (AIS) Engineering and REST Hub teams were busy collaborating on a cutting-edge innovation to aid their recovery. Together, they developed customised, Para-accessible ice baths and transfer aids designed to cater to the unique needs of Para athletes with varied impairments.
“The commercially available inflatable baths historically used are not very stable when it comes to Para athletes transferring from their day chair into the bath,” AIS Sports Engineer Lead Andy Richardson said. “We wanted to have a bath that had a stiff sidewall, as well as some custom designed and built transfer aids to support athletes ingress and egress from the pool with a high level of independence.”
The new recovery equipment, including chilling units and modified bath seating, facilitated cold water immersion recovery during the Paralympics in Paris, helping Para athletes cool down and recover faster in the hot summer conditions.
For wheelchair basketball player Phil Evans, the difference these upgrades made to his recovery experience was immediate and empowering. “This is the first time I have felt comfortable and confident transferring into and out of the [blow up] ice bath,” he said. “It’s been great to have the independence and not have to rely on someone else to help me and relieved a lot of anxiety about getting out of the ice bath.”
AIS Senior Recovery Physiologist Dr Steph Davies, who supported the Australian team
on the ground in Paris, said the equipment was a success and feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
“For Para athletes, water immersion plays a critical role in optimising recovery and temperature regulation, this development of inclusive and purpose-built equipment has been essential, ensuring athlete safety, promoting independence, and enhancing overall usability,” Davies said.
AIS Engineering is now exploring ways the accessible systems can be integrated into recovery environments across the country, while work is also underway to develop a lighter, more compact version of the water chilling units, which are designed to keep the baths cold around the clock, that can be transported as checked baggage, reducing freight needs.
By combining innovative engineering with athlete-centred design, the AIS is helping Australia’s Para athletes recover in ways never possible before while paving the way for more inclusive recovery environments.
Game changing research for Australian sport
Helping Australian sport benefit from artificial intelligence (AI) is the aim of a new world-first research partnership between the CSIRO and the Australian Sports Commission (ASC).
The three-year agreement will initially focus on two research areas, developing an AI for Australian sports roadmap and a responsible AI position statement. CSIRO’s Data61 Director, Professor Jon Whittle, said the collaboration aims to advance and build the capability of sport in Australia from participation to high performance.
“We are committed to delivering positive impact across all levels of sport and helping the ASC inspire more Australians to be involved in sport,” Professor Whittle said. “The AI roadmap and responsible AI practices will help improve the performance and integrity of Australian sport, positioning us as global leader.”
ASC CEO Kieren Perkins OAM said the partnership will also help the ASC drive innovation across our sport system.
“Working in collaboration with CSIRO, the ASC will be well placed to support Australian sport to better harness data and emerging digital technologies within strong ethical and responsible guardrails,” Mr Perkins said. “It is also an opportunity for the ASC and CSIRO to workshop how Australian sport can reap the benefits of AI.”
Cross-sport research opportunities, that align with CSIRO’s capabilities, will also be identified and incorporated into the partnership.
World-leading recommendations to support mum athletes
Australia has taken a momentous step in its bid to become the world leader in athlete wellbeing, recently launching new recommendations to support athletes from preconception through to parenthood.
The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), Central Queensland University (CQ University) and the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) developed the world-leading AIS Best Practice Recommendations to Support Elite Athletes from Preconception to Parenthood.
“The more mums and aspiring mums we see thriving in sport, the better,” Minister for Sport, The Hon Anika Wells MP said. “Athlete mums are among our best athletes, just look at marathon mum Jess Stenson or world record holder Vanessa Low, both of whom actually achieved greatness as parents.
“There shouldn’t have to be a choice between motherhood and athletic success and in fact, the qualities developed through being a mum, including resilience, are ideal for elite competition.
“The Albanese Government wants our athletes to be treated as individuals and supported with tailored programs that can drive them to 2032 success,” said Wells.
AIS Female Performance Health Initiative Project Lead, Dr Rachel Harris, said the recommendations will help more women thrive.
“No athlete should have to choose between a career in sport and being a parent, but unfortunately that’s the reality for a growing number of female athletes,” Dr Harris said. “Many athletes are reaching their late 20s, early 30s, and are wanting to start a family, however a lack of support is leading them to early retirement.
“These evidence-based recommendations will help sports retain great athletes who have the potential to perform for another 10-15 years,” said Dr Harris.
The recommendations underpin Australia’s High Performance 2032+ Sport Strategy: Win Well in which 62 sports and organisations have pledged to prioritise athlete wellbeing1.
Three-time Olympic kayaker Alyce Wood is among a long lineup of Australian athletes who have soared to career-best performances after having children. Wood achieved her best ever performance in the K1 500 at 35 weeks postpartum before competing at the 2023 World Championships, followed by the Paris Olympics with daughter, Florence, by her side.
“At that point in my life it was the strongest and happiest I’d ever felt, but that wouldn't have been possible without a supportive team,” Wood said of Paddle Australia.
Olympic Water Polo player and mum Keesja Gofers also returned to training eight weeks postpartum before making history in Paris. “I had people who advocated for me within my sporting organisation and I am very grateful for the support I received,” Gofers said of Water Polo Australia.
Both Wood and Gofers were among more than 60 athletes, coaches, high performance support staff and medical professionals who helped shape the recommendations.
CQUniversity Associate Professor Melanie Hayman highlighted that even sports with small budgets can make a real impact.
“Some of these recommendations can be implemented with little to no resources such as offering flexible training options, protecting categorisation, or modifying uniforms,” Associate Professor Hayman said. “While sports with bigger budgets can consider covering medical bills, contract extensions, or childcare.”
Queensland Minister for Sport and Racing and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Tim Mander MP, said the return to sport for postpartum and parenting athletes was critical.
“The Queensland Academy of Sport has taken a strong lead in championing female athlete research, and this research is a clear example of its commitment to driving progress in this important space,” Mr Mander said.
“With more female athletes returning toelite sport after childbirth, the QAS has played a critical role in supporting their successful return.
“To do this well, they’ve focused on understanding the real barriers and enablers so we can strengthen policies, systems and support where it matters most.
“We are incredibly proud of these recommendations and look forward to supporting our athletes in continuing to thrive as we continue on our journey to 2032 and making it our most successful Games yet,” said Mr Mander.
Gofers agreed that this will change the future of women’s sport for the better.
“Women that choose to be mum athletes are determined and resilient, which is exactly the type of athlete coaches want to achieve those one percenters,” Gofers said.
Australia is driving progress in sport through inclusive engineering, responsible use of technology, and stronger support for athlete wellbeing. These initiatives reflect a growing commitment to performance, equity, and long-term sustainability in high- performance environments.
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