12 12 AUSTRALIAN SPORTS COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2016–17 OVERVIEW AND HIGHLIGHTS Australia has always had grand sporting aspirations, at the elite level and by involving and inspiring the next generation through their school and community environments. Our goal is to be the most active sporting nation, known for its integrity, thriving sports organisations, exceptional international successes and world-leading sports industry. We have a sweeping vision for the future and a clear focus on the present, following another outstanding year of results at home and abroad. Our efforts as a system have targeted delivering on Australia’s high performance strategy. For women, there has never been a better time to be playing a team sport in Australia. The rewards are greater, and long overdue. From netball’s ground-breaking new national league, to cricket’s historic pay deal, to AFL Women’s spectacular debut season, football’s soaring Matildas and beyond, our women are breaking new ground. Individuals, too, continue to shine. Tyler Wright won her first world surfing championship in October, and despite missing the chance to defend her 100-metre hurdles 2012 Olympic Gold Medal at the Rio 2016 Games, hurdler Sally Pearson completed a remarkable comeback from injury at the world athletics championships in July, 2017. It was in Rio that Australia finished 10th on the Olympic medal table, and fifth at the Paralympics. While proud of those efforts, and all who helped to achieve them, we continue to aim higher. One exceptional Olympic performance among many was 18-year-old Kyle Chalmers’ in becoming the first Australian since 1968 to claim the 100-metre freestyle gold. Closer to home, A-League champions Sydney FC completed one of the greatest domestic seasons in any sport, finishing with the highest number of points (66) and wins (20) in A-League history. Yet no team can afford to stand still — including ours. We welcome the Federal Government’s $15.5 million commitment in the 2017–18 budget to maintain high performance funding and support Australia’s athletes leading into the 2018 Commonwealth Games, as well as the development of a National Sport Plan (NSP). The Australian public has been canvassed for its opinion about priorities in the sport sector, along with other key stakeholders. The NSP will supply a long-term strategy for Australian sport, improving participation and performance and ensuring people remain physically and mentally healthy. John Wylie am CHAIR AUSTRALIAN SPORTS COMMISSION