AOC: The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has welcomed the Federal Government’s National Sports Plan.
Set to be implemented as a part of the 2017-18 Budget, the National Sports Plan will look to provide vision for sport in Australia over the coming decade. The Plan, which will be spearheaded by National Sports Minister Greg Hunt, focuses on the four pillars of participation, performance, prevention through physical activity and integrity.
“The AOC welcomes the Minister’s initiative,” said AOC CEO Matt Carroll.
“Every athlete, every team, every sport needs a plan to succeed so this initiative is critical for Australia’s sporting future.
“The National Plan will bring clarity on the roles and responsibilities of all the parties involved and establish the support, infrastructure and funding required to achieve the collective sporting outcomes for the country.
“The AOC accepts that Australians set high expectations of sport administrators, not just in providing opportunities for athletes to achieve medal success, but in growing participation, ensuring community outcomes in health and education are achieved and importantly setting standards that meet our cultural values. We welcome that the Ministers National Plan will be addressing all of these aspects.”
There are currently 33 summer and 7 winter sports that are represented by the AOC and Carroll will be hoping that the Plan highlights the diverse range of sports that young Australians can aspire to become Olympians in.
“The AOC will be fully engaged in the Plan’s development and I will also be encouraging our 40 member sports to also participate and contribute to the formulation of the Plan, giving voice to the great diversity of sports that the Olympics represents.”
While the AOC’s key focus is helping the Australian Olympic Team perform to their best in the Olympic arena, there has also long been a focus on the Plan’s three other pillars.
The AOC runs an education program that, with the help of a number of inspiring Olympians, encourages young Australians to participate in sport and live a healthy lifestyle.
The program’s alignment with the Australian Olympic Team’s A.S.P.I.R.E values provides guidance on the way athletes should participate in the sports they love with integrity and in a positive and respectful manner.
The AOC will look to continue such initiatives while working more closely with the federal government as it aims to play a constructive and formative role in Australian sport now and into the future.
Matt Bartolo
olympics.com.au
