Pinnacle - Autumn 2012

Olympic medallist and World Champion Matt Targett

PINNACLE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE VICTORIAN INSTITUTE OF SPORT APRIL 2012 | Autumn EDITION | ISSUE 86

ANNE MARIE HARRISON CEO VICTORIAN INSTITUTE OF SPORT

HUGH DELAHUNTY MP Minister for Sport and Recreation

The final countdown….we are within sight of the London

My parliamentary colleague and Minister for Major Projects,

Olympics and Paralympics. For so many of our athletes this

Dr Denis Napthine and I recently had the pleasure of officially

is the culmination of years of training and preparation, for

opening the new home of the Victorian Institute of Sport at

others it is the start of their Olympic or Paralympic journey, for

Lakeside Stadium. We look forward to reaping the benefits of

a rare few it is a return to the mountain they have climbed

this world class venue in the years to come and congratulate

and conquered and for others the disappointment of being

all involved with the project.

so close is still ringing in their ears.

our support of the VIS as well as ongoing investment in state

opening of our new facility at Lakeside Stadium. A facility

sporting associations to assist in growing sport participation.

that has seen athletes “vote with their feet” in terms of support

This investment is truly paying off, with 404 athletes receiving

and usage and has also been well received by coaches,

VIS services, female athlete representation at 49 per cent and

service providers and staff. Minister for Sport & Recreation,

representation of athletes with a disability at 13 per cent.

the Hon Hugh Delahunty and Minister for Major Projects, the Hon Denis Napthine joined our many partners, sponsors, past and current athletes, the Board and staff in celebrating this further milestone for the Victorian Institute of Sport. A live cross during the Channel 10 news also gave us exposure to the Victorian community.

This next couple of months is critical in fine tuning our athletes to enable them to compete at their very best in July, August and September. Not to be forgotten, however, are the Melbourne Vixens who are looking to bounce back after a couple of disappointing seasons and a very long break in the domestic season, to reclaim their place amongst the top two Australian teams in the ANZ Championships. Our Winter Sport athletes have just come off a European and North America season which has seen some very promising developments

We look forward to the London Games with optimism as last year 67 percent of our athletes were on national teams or squads, supported by 78 percent of VIS coaches at the national level. These are great results for Victoria and proof that our hard work and investment are paying dividends.

Well done to our VIS Olympic and Paralympic athletes who have secured their spots on the Australian Team so far, including boxer Ibrahim Balla, K1 men’s canoeist Warwick Draper, Carmen Marton in taekwondo, swimmers Matt Targett and Matson Lawson, synchronised swimmer Tarren Otte, table tennis player Miao Miao and Paralympic table tennis players Melissa Tapper and Rebecca McDonnell and wheelchair rugby players Nazim Erdem, Jason Lees, Andrew Harrison, Greg Smith and Josh Hose.

ahead of Sochi in 2014 with Mitch Gourley (VIS/AIS) ranked

On behalf of the Victorian Government I wish all athletes,

third in the world in Paralympic alpine skiing and aerial skiers

coaches and support staff on the path to London 2012 all the

Laura Peel (VIS/AIS) ranked four in the world and Danielle

best.

Scott (VIS/AIS) named the World Cup Rookie of the Year.

Golfer Kieran Pratt had his break through maiden Asian Tour win in the Zaykabar Myanmar Open. If the start of the year is a reflection of what is to come, then we have a great year ahead of us.

May the road ahead be paved with success and satisfaction by all for a job well done.

3

On top of this brilliant new facility, we are proud to continue

It is fitting therefore that we kicked off this year with the official

Welcome

Rest assured you will have all of Victoria cheering for you.

contents...

3.

Welcome

5.

Rowing

6. Swimming 9. Canoeing 10. Track & Field 12. What It Takes 13. Social Media 15. The Institute

Welcome 4

rowers ready to repeat beijing feat?

Saturday, 16 August 2008 will be

Crawshay will attempt to defend his

fourth last year but will be boosted by

remembered by the VIS and rowers

Olympic title while Karsten Forsterling

the inclusion of two VIS athletes,Pippa

nationwide as one of the most

will be aiming to add to his World

Savage and Pauline Frasca.

successful days in Australian Olympic

Championship title in the Men’s Quad

history. The medal haul of two gold

Scull. Drew Ginn and Josh Dunkley-

and one silver at Shunyi Park Beijing,

Smith will be joined by fellow VIS athlete

lasted only one hour, but its impact

Will Lockwood and James Chapman

is undeniable; that hour transformed

(NSWIS) in a new look Men’s Four aiming

the Olympic campaign for the VIS, for

to emulate the deeds of the Oarsome

Australia, and inspired thousands of

Foursome of years gone by and bring

emerging rowers across the country.

back gold!

The question on everyone’s lips is, are the rowers ready to repeat their unbelievable Beijing feat?

better than her World Championship silver in the Women’s Double Scull and

Rowing Team doesn’t end with the athletes, as coaches Chris O’Brien and Bill Tait will also be in green and gold, with Chris coaching the Men’s Coxless Four and Bill looking after the Women’s Coxless Pair.

The VIS presence in the team is almost certain to be further boosted as five rowers contest seats in the Men’s Pair, including scholarship holders James

Following the National Olympic

likewise the women’s pair of Sarah Tait

Selection Trials, Rowing Australia has

and Kate Hornsey will hope to improve

nominated the bulk of its team for

on their bronze from last year’s World

Following extensive trialling a

submission to the AOC. The VIS is very

Championships.

Women’s Eight has also been

proud of the efforts of our rowers with 14 athletes named in the 33 confirmed seats in nine qualified boats – which represents an impressive 42% of the team as it currently stands!

In the Men’s Double Scull David

Kate Hornsey and Sarah Tait

5

Kim Crow will be looking to go one

The amazing VIS input to the Australian

ROWING

After their fourth placing last year the Men’s Eight will be targeting a medal in London; VIS athletes on board are Cam McKenzie-McHarg, Francis Hegerty, Josh Booth and Tom Swann.

The Women’s Quad was also a close

Marburg and Tom Larkins.

named to contest the Olympic Qualification Regatta in late May in a bid to qualify the boat for the London Games. VIS athletes involved in this boat are Phoebe Stanley, Robyn Selby Smith and cox Lizzie Patrick.

london awaits matson lawson VIS swimmer Matson Lawson has flown

What were your first thoughts when you

Is there any one person who has

under the radar to book his seat on the

realised you’d made the team?

helped you more than anyone else in

plane to the London Olympics following

When I finished and looked up at the

the last few years?

his stunning performance at the

board, it was a relief to know all the

There are too many people to mention,

Australian Swimming Championships

hard work and training had paid off; but

but to name just one person it would

in Adelaide. The 19 year old from the

there was also some disappointment

have to be Josh Beaver. If it wasn’t for

Mornington Peninsula stormed home in

to know that my training partner and

him training next to me, I wouldn’t be on

the 200m backstroke to finish second

fellow VIS athlete, Josh Beaver, would

that plane to London.

in 1:58.53, shaving almost two seconds

not be joining me at the Games.

off his personal best time! Lawson’s place earned him an Olympic berth in the event. His selection to the Olympic Team is Lawson’s first Australian team representation - junior or senior - a remarkable achievement. His reaction:

Have you set any goals for London?

What’s your program between now

No, not yet. It is still something I have to

and London?

think about and discuss with my coach.

My program between now and London consists of 18 long weeks of hard training at my home pool – and that’s it!

I’m not planning to take any fancy trips, I will just be slogging it out at home.

What are you expecting at the Games?

I have no idea what to expect! I have never even been on an Australian team before, so at this point, all I can say is – it’s going to be an amazing experience!

It’s going to be an amazing experience!

on La ws n o s Ma t

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6

meet matt targett Olympic medallist and reigning 4x100m

European competition. I like the way

Any London goals you’d like to put on

freestyle World Champion Matt Targett

I’m swimming, and I’m happy I’ve

the table at this stage?

has made his second Olympic Team

stayed out of the physio’s office and the

The Olympics is like no other event and

and will swim in the much hyped men’s

doctor’s office and I hope it stays that

I’m really looking forward to London,

4x100m freestyle relay team in London.

way leading into the Games!

however, it’s a bit too early to put any

Matt zeroes in on his Olympic target below:

Matson Lawson also made the team, however he’s never been on any Aussie

What were your first thoughts when you

team - what advice would you offer him

realised you’d made the relay team?

about the Olympics?

I was relieved when I found out that I

I was lucky enough to sit by Matson

had made it, knowing that all my hard

for both of our flights to and from the

work and training had paid off. I was

Olympic orientation camp, so I have

also taken aback by the standard to

already managed to share a lot of

actually make the team.

advice with him. His very first race, the

What’s your program between now and London?

I will most likely head to the northern hemisphere to do some training with and racing against some fast international swimmers. I am also

goals on the table. I’m eager to see the US Olympic trials in June, the selections there will help to give me a better idea of what to expect at the Games.

200m backstroke heats, will be prime time in Australia so I’m sure he will enjoy knowing that millions of Aussies will be watching and supporting his effort. I trust that he will represent Victoria and Australia well.

planning to compete in a US and

Ma t t

7

SWIMMING

Ta rge t

t

synchronised swimming otte’s last splash The lure of competing in the London Olympic Games was just too much for Tarren Otte, who announced her retirement after narrowly missing a medal at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. The VIS athlete decided that she did not want to miss out on London and managed to successfully secure her place on the Australian synchronised swimming team.

‘I did retire after Delhi and had a year off but I have lived in the sport for so long and I love all the girls so I thought I can do one more,’ Otte said. ‘We finished seventh in Beijing and we would love to finish seventh or better in London. We have a very talented squad but there is a lot of hard work involved.’

Also in the team are Otte’s Beijing teammates Tamika Domrow and Samantha Reid, while making their Olympic debut will be Olga Burtaev, Jenny-Lyn Anderson, Bianca Hammett and Francesca Owen.

against all odds

Ta rre n

O t te

His smile lit up the Olympic and Paralympic swimming trials in Adelaide as much as his performance lit up the pool after VIS swimming sensation Ahmed Kelly qualified for a place on the Australian Paralympic swim team. Ahmed, 20, has earned a priority two selection in the 50m breaststroke, continuing one of the most moving sports stories imaginable.

As a baby, Ahmed was abandoned in an Iraqi orphanage with severely deformed arms and legs, and only a slight chance of survival. He was rescued by Moira Kelly and her Children First Foundation and brought to Australia for surgery and a new life. Ahmed said, ‘Australia has given me a new opportunity to live life to the max.’

Ahmed’s journey to Paralympic qualification has been over four years of hard training with swimming coach Brad Harris.

‘It is everything I have worked for and it is something I have always wanted to do - thank you to everyone in Australia for everything they have done for me.’

Ms Kelly burst into tears of excitement at her son’s achievement; ‘I still can’t believe he has done it. I feel so proud, and all Victorians should feel so proud because he is there to represent us,’ she said. ‘It is a way to show that anyone can achieve their dreams.’

Ahmed Kelly

SWIMMING 8

interview with warwick draper What’s the best tip you can offer

Warwick Draper is hoping it will be third

in June for World Cups in France and

time lucky in London this year. The 35

Spain and another camp in London.

Olympic debutantes?

year old recently won selection for his

Then I’m off to Slovenia for another

Staying focused on your competition is

third Olympic Games team, in the K1

two week training camp before

great but also take the time to absorb

slalom event, and it’s all about a medal

heading back to London for the

the atmosphere at the Games. It is

this time around. Warwick speaks with

Games in mid-July.

special and can give you a different

Marketing and Community Projects

Have you got any goals for London?

Coordinator, Rick Wall.

After a ninth-place finish in Athens in

What were your first thoughts after

2004, and a fifth placing in Beijing, I’m

realising you’d done enough to make

hoping for a similar improvement this

the team?

time. My sights are set on one thing -

My first emotion was one of absolute

I’m going to London with the goal of

relief; closely followed by excitement for

winning a gold medal.

what lay ahead.

type of energy, especially being part of the Australian team which has such a great, positive vibe that makes you realise that absolutely anything is possible.

Is there any one person who has

What’s your program between now and

helped you more than anyone else

London?

over the last couple of years?

It starts with five weeks of training here in

I have had a really strong relationship

Australia, followed by a two week camp

with my close friend and coach, Robbie

in London to get to know the Olympic

Parker. Robbie has been supporting me

course. Then I have four weeks back in

since 2009.

Australia. After that it’s back to Europe

Wa rw i

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CANOEING

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five questions: getting to know kaila mcknight Capturing the true ancient Olympic

Creek for three gruelling weeks. I then

and conditioning, training partners,

principles, track and field athletics is

return home before the Australian

the VIS, Athletics Victoria, Athletics

probably the most popular sport on

National Championships in mid-April,

Australia and finally my friends, family

the Olympic program and the action

followed by some races in early May

and husband. All of these people ride

in London is not going to disappoint:

in Asia. It’s then a hard training block

the journey with you. My family and my

athletics features 2,000 athletes running,

during May and June to finish off my

husband probably feel the ups and

walking, jumping and throwing for gold.

base training before leaving for my

downs more than anyone else and

Could 1500m runner Kaila McKnight

London training base in late June.

without them picking me up during

soon become a national household name as an Olympic hero?

Have you set any goals for London?

I want to go into London in the best

the tough times I wouldn’t be going to the Olympic Games in London. I can’t thank them enough for their support,

What were your first thoughts after

training condition of my life. So that is

realising you’d done enough to make

definitely one goal. Then as far as the

the team?

competition goes, like any other, I aim

You haven’t been to an Olympic

Immediately after the race it was just a

to do the best that I can on the day. I

Games previously, so what are you

sense of elation, and then when things

firmly believe that the key to my success

expecting?

started to sink in a few minutes later I

is always in my preparation. So for the

I’ve been lucky enough to represent

really started to get a sense of pride.

moment, I am focusing on reaching all

Australia at a Commonwealth Games

For most people in this sport, it is their

my individual training goals in the lead-

and the World Championships, so I

dream to represent their country at an

up.

have some sense of the pride that I

Olympic Games and now I get that chance. I want to take this chance now and do Australia, my family and friends and myself proud.

Is there one person who has helped you more than anyone else over the last couple of years?

Behind every Olympic athlete I’m sure

What’s your program between now

there is an amazing support network

and London?

to get them to where they are. I am no

At the moment (March) I am

different. My support team consists of

completing altitude training at Falls

my coaches, both running and strength

encouragement and help.

know I am going to feel when I get to that start line, but this is the pinnacle of our sport, so I know that there will be so much more to the whole experience as well. I am enjoying the anticipation of what awaits. I can’t stop dreaming of race day at the moment...it’s a huge motivation for my training.

TRACK & FIELD 10

craig mottram going for gold Craig Mottram is an icon of Australia’s track and field team and is considered one of the most competitive middle distance runners globally, in a career spanning over a decade. Craig has booked a spot at his fourth

running on expectation Having performed strongly in Australia in the past few years, 25 year old Jeff Riseley knows the next step in his development is making a real mark at a major global championships. Jeff talks about his road to the London Olympic Games below: What’s your program between now and London?

I am currently up at Falls Creek in the Victorian Alpine Region

Olympics, and is close to regaining the form

for a three week altitude training camp. I will then be based in

that made him one of the most feared middle

Europe from June until the Games. I also have a few races in

distance runners in the world. He talks briefly to

Asia in May to break up the training and to make sure I don’t

the VIS’ Rick Wall:

get stale!

Your thoughts after realising you’d made

Have you set any goals for London?

the team?

I have a couple of goals. However after being sick in Beijing

I had a real mix of emotions. A bit of relief, and

and unable to perform to my full potential and being

a huge sense of satisfaction.

extremely disappointed, I want to walk off the track, no

Your program between now and London?

I will be based in Australia until the end of May. Then I’m heading to the USA for a training camp until late June. After that I will head to my European base for a few races before the Olympics start in late July.

matter what the result is in London, and feel like I gave it my all and represented myself and my country well.

Who has helped you more than anyone in the last couple of years?

Nic Bideau my coach and manager has put an enormous amount of time in over these past four years. Also the guys behind the scenes like Andrew Lambart my physio,

Any goals for London?

To do my best! I am expecting to just enjoy and compete well.

Garry Miritis my masseur, Andrew Russell my strength and conditioning coach and Peter Fuller my sports doc have been unbelievable in their support. I must also give special

Who has helped you more than anyone over

mention to the VIS and Derek Boothroyd and Marina Mateos

the last few years?

who has been fantastic with her assistance in helping me to

I have had a great team of people who have

manage my study with my training load and constant time

helped and supported me over the last couple

spent abroad. Unfortunately living out in the outer suburbs I

of years – from my family and coach to the VIS

am unable to make full use of the awesome facilities of the

and sponsors, all have played an integral role

VIS, especially the new Lakeside venue.

in my journey.

What are you expecting at the Games?

I am expecting London to put on an amazing Olympic Games, however, it is going to be really hard to trump Beijing as they did an incredible job in organising the 2008 Olympics.

I am also looking forward to being a part of a great Australian team and seeing some fantastic results.

C raig 11

TRACK & FIELD

Mo t tr om

what it takes to be an olympic athlete In the next few months, the curtain will rise on the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. For many athletes, the Games will be the pinnacle of their sporting career. It is hard to imagine every detail that goes into an athlete’s preparation for the famed event, but these are some things that come to mind:

know in the lead-up to the Games.

for injury prevention, balance and technique control. The expert VIS physical preparation team tailor individual

ensuring athletes are not distracted by

performance eating plans specifically

the hype. For first-time Olympians and

tailored to meet the athletes’ individual

Paralympians, it is undoubtedly a very

training needs for their sport, taking

daunting scene.

into account their individual body composition and nutrition status as

to the Games, including general health

encouraged to expose themselves

and the immune system, recovery,

to the environment a few days

hydration and competition and travel

before their competition: familiarise

nutrition.

themselves with both the village and

support staff looking after our athletes

balance problems they may have.

to better understand how they can

science and sport-specific coaching staff, the physical preparation team has broadened its approach to athlete management – improved testing, planning and monitoring of the athletes

at the Games, but to still make sure and performance. Athletes are

condition, goals and any injury or

facility. In cooperation with VIS sport

the thrill of representing their country

on specific issues relevant in the lead up

athletes, coaches and other key

technologically advanced, Lakeside

to enjoy all the extra excitement and

the main focus is on competition

depending on their sport, physical

been able to prepare for in the new,

Sport psychologists advise athletes

VIS Dietitians will use this time to focus

The VIS Dietitians will be helping

and Paralympic Games the VIS has

the all-nation athlete village comprising and Paralympic stimuli, half the task is

programs to the needs of each athlete

The London Games are the first Olympic

overseas, the opening ceremony and

Games, VIS Dietitians will design high

ability.

and performance enhancement, but

With the excitement of travelling

just some of the extraordinary Olympic

Almost any Olympic or Paralympic

in sport – not only in terms of strength

your opponent is not the only focus.

Between now and the Olympic

well as food preferences and cooking

conditioning is fundamental to success

Olympic or Paralympic Games, beating

NUTRITION

PREPARATION athlete will agree that strength and

PSYCHOLOGY When it comes to an event like the

recover from one training session and present well fuelled for the next. This means consuming the right amounts and types of carbohydrate and protein immediately after a training session to start the recovery process. In some

their competition venue, try and see another event, complete a training session in their competition gear and chat to some experienced Olympians or Paralympians about how to handle everything. Many athletes will encounter foreign food options, altered sleep arrangements and increased media attention - which can all become a distracting influence.

cases supplements will be required

The key to remaining focused is to

to support recovery and these will be

‘control the controllables’ - maintaining

supplied to the athletes by Gatorade

routine and sticking to a plan when it

and Musashi.

comes to eating and sleeping patterns,

and their training loads. Wherever VIS

These athlete-tailored nutrition and

athletes are in the world, the physical

hydration programs are designed to

preparation team can liaise with

help athletes perform to the best of their

them and assist with their preparation.

ability. The end result? A well fuelled

However, perhaps as a result of the world-

high performing athlete!

family/social time, training and recovery and all the usual pre-competition practices, will ensure the best chance of a successful performance.

class facility and increased resources, more athletes have chosen to prepare in Melbourne and work with the staff they

WHAT IT TAKES 12

social media montage Jess Gallagher: Watching the V8’s scream past as I do my weights @VicInstSport...how good is this!!!

Drew Ginn: So great to see Harry Brennan back at the @VicInstSport that’s great news

Katy Parrish: Watching the #F1 at @VicInstSport with @KelCartwright89! Great view!

Good way to end a gym session:)

Marieke Guehrer: A massive thank you also to @VicInstSport for this season and my entire “comeback” campaign. Staff and services are legendary x

Tim Blanchard: Just training @VicInstSport watching @v8supercars. How cool is that!!

Kelsey Brown: training @VicInstSport with this just outside the front door! #specialtreat .look close enough and you’ll see a F1 lockerz

Sean Wroe: @VicInstSport @SeanWroe rollin’ fashions on the field.

Danielle Stefano: Couldn’t be prouder of @erindensham today!! 1st place at Mooloolaba World Cup! Worked hard & well deserved!! Bring on Sydney! @VicInstSport

Ahmed Kelly (Facebook): HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all. Since 2012 is an Olympic/Paralympic year, I hope it brings you all many opportunities, gives you a chance to explore every joy of life and allows you to further embrace your family and friends.

What a year it will be and I am already determined and excited! I wish you all a fantastic 2012. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

13

SOCIAL MEDIA

Shane Perkins: @VicInstSport thank you for your never ending support, last night was a testament to your unwavering support in me over the many years!!

Jess Gallagher: Just spoke to some schools with Glenn Singleton (Kayaker) as part of the @VicInstSport schools program.

What a fun AND educational day!

Luke Parker: Just won the 2011 Austral WheelRace! Couldn’t be happier. Thanks to @VicInstSport for all their support & everyone for the kind messages.

Geva Mentor (Melbourne Vixens): After hearing the VIS was moving last year I’ve had a twinkle in my eye for the opportunities that having a gym on turn 3/4 of the Melbourne GP would bring...sweet sounds, distractions from programs as I peer out the windows for a great view...gives me goose bumps and a smile from ear to ear feel like a kid in a candy shop!

Team McLaren all the way!”

@scottyjames31: Feeling the pain after a hard session at @ VicInstSport this afternoon. No one make me laugh, my stomach hurts too much! #sorecore

olympic facts 1. Did you know that all athletes competed in the nude at the ancient Olympics?

2. In the 1908 and 1912 Games, Australia competed with New Zealand under the

@burna5 That time of year again. @VicInstSport ‘s Aerial Skiers going through their water jumps

@derek_boothroyd Another perfect day here at Lakeside Stadium with @VicInstSport athletes for Day 2 of the National Championships.

name Australasia.

3. Australia has hosted the Summer Olympic Games twice - in 1956 in Melbourne and in 2000 in Sydney.

4. Australia and Greece are the only two nations to have participated at every Summer Olympic Games of the modern era.

5. Edwin Flack was the first athlete to represent Australia at the Olympics - he won gold in both the 800m and the 1500m of the 1896 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.

@KelCartwright89 My number 1 fan! Lost my medal to him but I don’t mind :) #socute #soproud

6. When London hosts the Olympic Games in 2012, the city will become the first to host the Games three times: 1908, 1948 and 2012.

7. The London Olympic Stadium will have a capacity of 80,000 during the Games - It is

@MatthewTargett Will you put some clothes on for goodness sake! @HeraldSunEye @VicInstSport

the lightest Olympic stadium ever built!

8. The steel used to build the Aquatics centre in London comes from Newport in Wales.

9. The amount of material that had to be excavated to build the Aquatics centre was the equivalent of 160,000 tonnes of soil!

10. L ondon 2012 is the first Summer Games to calculate its complete carbon footprint.

11. The Motto for the London 2012 Olympic Games is ‘Live as one’.

12. Wenlock and Mandeville are the official mascots for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, respectively.

SOCIAL MEDIA 14

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15

THE INSTITUTE

PEP3215_VIS_PRIME-PERFORM_HPV_66.5x185_1.1.indd 1

13/04/12 3:43 PM

inside the institute Our new facility represents one of

From 1862 the Lake Oval, as it was

The famous Lake Oval was revamped

the best examples of ‘architectural

known to generations of sports fans,

as a soccer facility and hosted a

marriage’ in Australia with buildings

was the home of the South Melbourne

Socceroos match. A rock concert

from different centuries merging in

Cricket Club, which went on to produce

featuring the legendary Australian

a spectacular relationship that is as

nine Australian cricket captains, more

group, Midnight Oil, was also staged at

functional as it is handsome.

than any other club in Australia.

the ground.

From the outside the unassuming

From 1874 the South Melbourne Football

But there were insufficient funds to

1926 red brick grandstand still meets

Club was also based here.

maintain the historic grandstand which

the criteria of its very worthy Heritage Victoria overlay but the inside astounds and captivates the visitor with a tri-level glass fronted modular design concept that opens up onto vistas of the sports facilities and the Albert Park tree line.

The grandstand’s original steel supporting pillars remain in situ but rather than being boxed-in, or hidden behind walls, on two levels they’ve been turned into features surrounded by glass flooring.

In 1901 the Lake Oval famously hosted the biggest annual sporting event

Fortunately Melbourne has one of the

quarter of a century later the current

world’s great sporting cultures and a

grandstand was constructed on the site

plan was hatched to not only save the

of an older building which had been

heritage of the precinct but to marry

destroyed by fire.

it up with new training and athletic

The Lake Oval further enhanced its reputation as one of Melbourne’s best

We are justifiably proud of our new home.

September each year to watch night clubs which didn’t make the finals.

grandstand.

The precinct itself is rich in Australian sporting culture.

standard.

of fans would flock to the ground in football games featuring the eight VFL

tidily on the north western end of the

facilities that are of an international

football facilities when thousands

gymnasium and pool appear to ‘open track while a new sprung floor hall fits

into abject disrepair.

in Australia - a VFL grand final. A

On the ground floor a modern out’ on to the world class running

faced an uncertain future when it fell

Night lights shone on the Lake Oval from 1956 until 1971 but as the fortunes of the South Melbourne club fell away so did the upkeep of the ground.

In 1982 South Melbourne moved north and was reborn as the Sydney Swans.

THE INSTITUTE 16

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PINNACLE Official Publication of the Victorian Institute of Sport Lakeside Stadium, 33 Aughtie Drive, Albert Park, VIC, Australia P +61 3 9425 0000 | www.vis.org.au ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS | Rick Wall, Ashley Carr, Mandy Passmore, Deirdre Boyd