51 Deliverable Result Supporting statement AIS Future Directions Project considers the role of the AIS in driving national system alignment and coordination1 Achieved The primary objective of this project was to assess the future role and responsibilities of the AIS both as a national sports agency as well as a provider of high performance daily training and research and medical facilities. Consultation conducted throughout the project sought stakeholder feedback on the role of the AIS in the context of the national system, with a particular focus on achieving improved system alignment and co-ordination. 750 athletes received dAIS funding to help achieve their high performance outcomes1,2 Achieved 936 athletes from 33 sports received a total of $13.12 million through dAIS grants in 2016–17. AIS Future Directions Project informs the AIS operating model1 Achieved The outcomes of the AIS Future Directions Project have been incorporated into the ASC’s strategic planning process that includes the future design of the AIS operating model. Australia finished tenth on the medal tally at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games with 29 medals (8 gold, 11 silver and 10 bronze). While this fell short of the Australia’s Winning Edge target of a top-five position there were promising signs for the future with 136 athletes aged 20‑24 finishing in the top eight of their event. Athletes in this age bracket accounted for half of all the Australian athletes that recorded top eight results. The Australian Paralympic team was fifth on the medal tally at the Rio Paralympic Games and strong performances resulted in 81 medals: 22 gold, 30 silver and 29 bronze. The AIS provided support throughout both the Olympic and Paralympic Games with high performance staff seconded to the Australian Olympic Committee and Australian Paralympic Committee teams. The AIS has delivered a number of key initiatives under the Win pillar in 2016–17, including provision of funding to 41 NSOs, with more than $103 million in high performance funding distributed. A total of 75 per cent of Australia’s Winning Edge funded sports achieved their targets in benchmark events3 during 2016–17. This is below the target of 80 per cent, however represents an increase from the 73 per cent reported in 2015–16. Under Australia’s Winning Edge measurement criteria,4 there were 26 able bodied world champions in 2016–17, including 10 athletes or teams crowned world champion between July 2016 and June 2017 3. Benchmark events include the world championship event or equivalent for: all Olympic & Paralympic disciplines; non Olympic disciplines in Foundation sports; and peak events for other able bodied Australia’s Winning Edge sports. 4. Where an athlete is crowned world champion in multiple events or disciplines the athlete is only counted once for the purpose of the Australia’s Winning Edge target.