Born out of a push to ensure promising West Australian athletes could pursue high performance sport careers without having to relocate to Canberra, WAIS began operations under the guidance of the late Wally Foreman with a skeleton staff, supporting a limited number of athletes via an individual scholarship program. The Institute has grown to now support over 250 athletes in 14 sport programs and an individual scholarship scheme, employing some of the best sports science and administration staff in the world.

 

Current WAIS Executive Director Steve Lawrence was one of the first staff employed by WAIS when contracted as a sports scientist back in 1984 and today reflected on the achievements of the Institute over the past quarter of a century.

 

"Western Australia can be proud of the achievements of WAIS since it's inception some 25 years ago," Lawrence said.

 

"Since the Institute commenced operations in 1984 WAIS has made a consistent contribution to Australia's performances on the international sporting stage, helping Australia to be recognised as one of the world's truly great sporting nations.

 

"Champions of the likes of Rechelle Hawkes, Ryan Bayley, Todd Pearson, Belinda Stowell,Steve Hooker and Priya Cooper have all distinguished themselves, their state and their countrywith the help of WAIS which is something every West Australian can be proud of."

 

In its 25 years of operation WAIS has made a direct contribution to athletes who have collectively brought back to WA:-

 

- 23 Olympic gold medals, 17 Olympic silver medals and 26 Olympic bronze medals including triple Gold Medallist Rechelle Hawkes (hockey 1988, 1996 and 2000) and dual Gold Medallists Ryan Bayley (cycling 2004) and Todd Pearson (swimming 2000)

 

- 23 Paralympic gold medals, 21 Paralympic silver medals and 18 Paralympic bronze medals including dual Gold Medallist Tracey Cross (swimming 1992, 1996)

 

- 43 World Championships including four time World Champion Peter Dawson (cycling, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006)

 

With 25 years of success behind it the Institute has entered the next Olympiad with a renewed focus on producing sporting champions from WA, with a concerted push from the WAIS Board to secure State Government funding for a $30 million state of the art service hub at UWA Sports Park in Mt Claremontbeing crucial to the on-going achievement of that vision.

 

"As we enter our 25^th year of operation the challenge remains before us to ensure that our efforts continue to provide the quality of opportunities that have been afforded thousands of Western Australian aspiring and current elite athletes since 1984," Lawrence said of the Institute's future.

 

A further celebration of WAIS's 25th anniversary will occur at the Institute's annual dinner in November.