Tasmanian Institute of Sport

The Tasmanian Institute of Sport (TIS) was established in Launceston in 1985, its first scholarships being awarded in 1986. It was originally based at the Tasmanian State Institute of Technology (later part of the University of Tasmania) and shared a human performance laboratory in Launceston.

Until the 1994 announcement that Sydney would host the 2000 Olympic Games, TIS programmes remained relatively constant, scholarship funding and sports science testing being the two major programmes. Following the announcement, federal funding was allocated for the Olympic preparation of elite athletes, allowing for new programmes in talent identification, athlete career and education, coaching and biomechanics. In 1997 the TIS relocated to a purpose-built facility at the Silverdome in Prospect. In 2003 staff numbers grew from 2 to 14, while athletes performed successfully at the international level.

Elizabeth Jack