High performance experts and administrators from the NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) have attended the World Class to World Best (WC2WB) conference at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). The event united the Australian High Performance sport sector around a clear focus to win well and inspire Australians at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond.   

“This was a great opportunity for our high performance sports system to connect and engage, and to share ideas in a formal and informal setting,” Andrew Logan, NSWIS High Performance Director said. “It’s rare to get everyone in the one environment.”   

More than 70 guest speakers shared their insights over three days at the AIS Campus in Canberra.   

Thai cave rescue diver, Dr Richard Harris SC OAM drew parallels between his experiences and the role of excellence and teamwork in high-pressure sporting environments.   

“Hearing from Dr Richard Harris, OAM, about the Thai cave rescue and the theme of excellence was incredibly powerful to me.    

“He spoke about Teaming in a hospital and surgery setting, about role clarity, responsibility and inclusivity. Everyone is there for the same outcome. It is no different to what we do in sport. The best teams know their role, know how to communicate in a supportive environment and are all there for the same desired outcome. It is understanding how people bring different knowledge, experience and qualities to get the desired outcome.”    

Dr Harris’s gripping keynote on excellence complemented the keynotes delivered on the first two days by Mark Mathews, Dylan Alcott AO and Jacara Egan which focused on the other core values which underpin Australia’s High Performance 2032+ Sport Strategy: courage, belonging and connection.   

“Mark Mathews spoke about fear and overcoming adversity following a big wave white out. He showed and explored the practical side of how powerful gratitude can be.”   

“Respected high performance administrator and Olympic gold medallist Alex Baumann spoke about the critical success factors for a world leading system -adequate resourcing, people capability, coaching, planning, and effecting the plans is critical but ensuring the fundamentals are done well and making the complex simple.”   

“We also heard from Australian Olympic and Paralympic Chef de Missions Anna Meares and Kate McLouglin. They shared their focus on creating the best environment for athletes to perform when it counts- an environment of inclusivity and belonging.”   

The three-day WC2WB program brought together close to 400 people from 50 sporting organisations to build sustainable success during the green and gold decade towards Brisbane 2032. 

“This conference was incredibly important for creating connection within our network.”

Frances Cordaro, NSWIS

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