Matti Clements Reappointed AIS Director to Lead High-Performance Sport Ahead of Brisbane 2032

The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) has confirmed the reappointment of Matti Clements as Director of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) for an additional three-year term.

The decision secures critical leadership stability across Australia’s elite high-performance ecosystem as national sporting organizations align their planning toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the 2030 Commonwealth Games, the French Alps 2030 Winter Games, and the Brisbane 2032 home Games.

Highlighting the value of maintaining administrative consistency across high-performance sports policy, Australian Sports Commission CEO, Kieren Perkins, said: “Under Matti’s stewardship, Australia’s high performance system is more united than ever, with sports and organisations working together to ensure our athletes Win Well not only on the road to Brisbane 2032, but for generations to come.”

“That unity and Matti’s strong vision has helped create the conditions for historic levels of Australian Government investment and outstanding results on the world stage, including Australia’s strong performances at the Paris 2024 and Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games.

“Matti has also overseen the establishment and growth of Para Uplift, creating more opportunities and providing greater support for current and future Para athletes as we build towards a home Games in Brisbane.

“Having Matti continue as AIS Director provides important stability as we build towards LA 2028, the 2030 Commonwealth Games and French Alps Winter Olympics and Paralympics, and ultimately Brisbane 2032.

“I am delighted that Australian sport will continue to benefit from her experience, passion and drive through this critical period,” Perkins said. 

AIS Director Matti Clements emphasised the ongoing commitment to institutional capability building and elite environment design.

“It is a privilege to continue as AIS Director during such an important period for Australian high performance sport.”

“Win Well has given our system a strong shared foundation and clear direction. Our opportunity now is to build on that work and continue developing the capability, culture and exceptional environments that enable athletes and coaches to achieve elite performances on the world stage.

“I look forward to continuing to work with athletes, coaches, sports and our partners across the system to make the most of this opportunity, ensure Australia is ready to perform on the world stage and deliver a lasting legacy from our home Games.”

Clements, who became the first female Director of the AIS following the Tokyo Olympics, has driven significant operational alignment across Australian Olympic, Paralympic, and Commonwealth Games programs. Central to her tenure has been the execution of the Win Well Strategy, a unified high-performance framework co-designed with over 60 sporting bodies to prioritise sustainable athletic performance and mental wellbeing.

“Her leadership has coincided with record federal government funding allocations, including targeted capital injections into Para sport through the Para Uplift program, alongside strong international competition results across Paris 2024 and Milano Cortina 2026.

The extension ensures continuity within the Australian Sports Commission‘s top leadership tier, complementing the prior reappointments of ASC Chief Executive Officer Kieren Perkins OAM through 2031 and ASC Chair Kate Jenkins AO through 2029.

The leadership confirmation establishes a firm governance foundation as the AIS continues executing multi-year pathway strategies to maximize Australia’s medal potential at Brisbane 2032.

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