Kieren Perkins Reappointed to Lead ASC Through Brisbane 2032

The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) has secured the long-term leadership of Kieren Perkins OAM, confirming his reappointment as chief executive officer for a further five years.

The move ensures continuity as the nation’s sporting sector enters a critical “green and gold” runway leading into the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The former Olympic swimming champion, who first took the helm in early 2022, will now remain in the role through to 2031. His tenure has been marked by a shift toward a “symbiotic” sporting system, balancing elite success at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) with record-level engagement in grassroots participation.

Commenting on Perkin’s reappointment, Minister for Sport, the Hon Anika Wells, said: “As Brisbane 2032 approaches, it’s crucial the Australian Sports Commission has a reliable and respected set of hands at the wheel.”

“Kieren is one of Australia’s most effective and esteemed sports administrators,” Hon. Wells said. 

A $249.7m Infrastructure Legacy

Expressing his commitment to creating a lasting legacy that extends beyond the podium, former olympian, Perkins, said: “The collaborative approach the sector is taking through this exciting period will ensure sport continues to play a pivotal role in the lives of all Australians.”

“I look forward to creating a sporting legacy that will benefit all Australians for generations to come,” Perkins said.

The reappointment goes along with the commencement of the AIS Podium Project, a once-in-a-generation $249.7 million revitalisation of the AIS campus in Canberra.

The project, which recently saw the demolition of the 40-year-old Athletes’ Village to make way for world-class testing and training centres, is the largest upgrade to the facility since its establishment in 1981.

ASC’s Strategy: ‘Play Well’ and ‘Win Well’

Under Perkins’ initial four-year term, the ASC launched two foundational strategies that have redefined the organisation’s commercial and operational priorities:

• Play Well: The national sport participation strategy aimed at making sport more inclusive and accessible across all demographics.
• Win Well: A high-performance strategy that prioritises athlete wellbeing and sustainable success alongside podium results.

ASC Chair Kate Jenkins AO noted that Perkins’ focus on collaboration has led to “significant milestones” and record government funding to support these initiatives.

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