13 13 As well as preparing the NSP with the Minister for Health and Minister for Sport, The Hon. Greg Hunt MP, and his office, the Commission is committed to: steering sport in a bold new direction and showing strong leadership; driving participation and physical activity; connecting the sector digitally; strengthening workforce capability and; partnering with organisations that can strengthen sport and connect with communities. The AIS will strengthen its capability in athlete care, data intelligence, research and innovation and in developing people in our system. Through the growth of our Sporting Schools program, we continue to emphasise the importance of the school environment, and will roll out our blueprint for physical literacy in the year ahead. The first results from AusPlay have now been revealed. This is an important new tool to capture insights into participation trends and assist sports with strategies to grow their numbers. This data is also delivered to State Governments to aid their decision making. Two major international events feature in early 2018: the XXIII Olympic Winter Games and Paralympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, and the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Performance-wise, the Commonwealth Games is one of Australia’s key benchmark events; participation-wise, it will involve more than 6,600 athletes and team officials from 70 nations and territories. Good luck and best wishes to all involved. There are many who make significant contributions to Australian sport. Together with my Board, I would like to acknowledge Mr Hunt for his active involvement and ongoing commitment through the establishment of the NSP. We thank the ASC stakeholders and partners who contribute to the success and sustainability of sport, including national sporting organisations (NSOs), the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), the Australian Paralympic Committee (APC), Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA), state institutes and academies of sport (SIS/SAS), state departments of sport and recreation (SDSR), sponsors and business partners, coaches, support staff and families. We also thank former CEO Simon Hollingsworth and AIS Director Matthew Favier for five years of exceptional leadership and service in those two key roles. Meanwhile, the vision and drive of new CEO Kate Palmer are already apparent as she oversees a major organisational restructure and leads the next exciting stage of the Commission’s evolution. I would also like to acknowledge the appointment of Alisa Camplin-Warner as Deputy Chair of the ASC. With her strong business acumen and high performance knowledge, Alisa will continue to help shape the direction of sport in Australia. As Chair, it is a privilege to be reappointed to the role and serve the Australian community and Australian sport. To our staff and our Board members, your contributions may sometimes go unheralded, but they are never unappreciated. Australian sport is stronger and healthier for them. John Wylie am Chair Australian Sports Commission