Olympian and respected sports leader Kirsten Thomson OLY has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS), ushering in a new chapter for elite athlete development in New South Wales.

Kirsten has had a distinguished sporting career including securing a silver medal in swimming on home soil at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000 and was also a silver medallist in the 2003 World Swimming Championships.

Since retiring from professional sport, Kirsten has worked across many of the state’s high-performance organisations for the past two decades, including in her current role as CEO of Swimming NSW, advancing sports through collaboration, advocacy, and innovation, creating inclusive environments where everyone can thrive. She has also previously acted in the CEO NSWIS role in 2021 and 2022.

The NSW Institute of Sport plays a critical role in supporting the state’s most talented athletes and coaches, providing world-class training environments, sport science, medical support and performance pathways.

This appointment follows a comprehensive recruitment process and reflects the NSW Government’s ongoing commitment to grassroots and elite sport pathways.

Kirsten will commence in the role on Thursday 9 April 2026.

Incoming CEO NSWIS Kirsten Thomson OLY said:
“My first experience with the NSW Institute of Sport was when I entered the inaugural swimming program in 1996, and having experienced firsthand the incredible support the Institute provides, I am honoured to now step into the CEO role and support NSW Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
“New South Wales has a proud history of sporting achievement, and I look forward to working with the athletes, coaches, staff and sport partners to establish a world leading high performance Institute.”

NSWIS Chair Gary Flowers said he was delighted to be welcoming Kirsten back to the organisation.
“Kirsten’s deep knowledge of NSWIS and of Australia’s high performance sport system mean she is uniquely placed to take the organisation forward.
“The board and I are confident Kirsten can lead NSWIS to even greater heights, helping NSW athletes thrive on the biggest international stages, as they have done in Milano Cortina over the last two weeks.”

Background: The NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) is the state’s premier high-performance training organisation, providing world-class facilities, specialised coaching, and performance support for elite Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Established in 1996, it supports over 430 athletes through comprehensive programs designed for international success.

NSWIS

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