IPSWICH TOWN CHAIRMAN SEEKS INSIGHT INTO WORLD RENOWNED AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF SPORT (AIS)
25 July 2001
The Chairman of English Premier League soccer club Ipswich Town, David Sheepshanks will visit the world-renowned AIS today keen to explore how the institute has gained an international reputation for excellence in athlete development.
After reading and hearing about the great exploits of the AIS overseas, Mr Sheepshanks wrote to the AIS in May requesting a visit so he could see first hand the world's best training institution.
In their first year back in the top flight of the English Premier League, Ipswich Town qualified for a place in this years UEFA Cup competition after finishing in fifth place.
The 'Tractor Boys' as they are known in England had a remarkable season recording 20 wins, the same amount as three of England's biggest clubs Arsenal, Leeds United and Liverpool.
The Director of the AIS, Mr Michael Scott said he was delighted that the institute's reputation for excellence had once again been recognised internationally.
"Before and during last year's Sydney Olympics the AIS hosted some 40 international countries all of whom were in awe of what we were achieving in athlete development, innovative and world-class coaching and cutting edge research in sports science and sports medicine," Mr Scott said.
"To have the Chairman of one of England's top premier league soccer club's take time out from his annual holiday to visit the AIS speaks volumes for our international reputation of 'world best practices' across all areas and disciplines".
"I'm sure Mr Sheepshanks will be most interested in the number of world class soccer players such as Mark Viduka, Craig Moore, Ned Zelic and current Australian Socceroos coach Frank Farina who have all come through our AIS soccer program".
Mr Sheepshanks will be available for comment at a media conference to be held today between 1.20-2.30pm at the AIS, silver room.
*The AIS is a major program of the Australian Sports Commission.
