Sports officials, Olympic champions and even an NRL coach have applauded the move to take the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) out of government hands and establish it as a Statutory Body.
Former QAS Executive Director and double Olympic swimming gold medallist Alex Baumann said moving the QAS to a Statutory Body would ensure Queensland provided the best environment for athletes and coaches to succeed at the highest level.
“The opportunity for the QAS to have the agility to adapt and make urgent decisions in a fast-changing high performance sport environment will provide for an enduring legacy in the lead up to the 2032 Games and beyond,” Mr Baumann, a former CEO of Swimming Australia, said.
They were sentiments echoed by Diving Australia CEO Alex Newton and former Australian Institute of Sport CEO Peter Conde.
Olympic gold medallist Cate Campbell said the creation of the Statutory Body would ensure the QAS remained at the forefront of high performance in sport.
“In the lead in to the Brisbane 2032 Olympics (this) will allow us to develop and nurture some of the best athletes not just in Australia, but in the world,” Ms Campbell said.
NRL Dolphins Head Coach Wayne Bennett said the decision “to unleash the QAS” was a milestone.
“I cannot wait to see what the QAS continues to deliver for our Queensland and Australian athletes in the build up to 2032 under a new Statutory Body.”
Premier Steven Miles said the new model would strengthen the QAS’s ability to support elite athletes and provide best practise training opportunities.
Premier Miles said the move followed a review into the organisation and consultation with key stakeholders.
He said a new Bill would be introduced to Parliament to ensure the Statutory Body’s Board would be independent and have the skills and diversity to perform its functions effectively.
“The Board, led by a chairperson, will ensure the strategic vision, compliance with regulations, and achievement of performance targets of the Queensland Academy of Sport, and the Board members will provide advice, participate in committees, and represent the needs of the sporting community and athletes.”
Premier Miles said operations at the QAS would continue as normal while the passage of legislation took place and the organisation transitioned from government to Statutory Body.
