While athletes are often the focus of major international competitions, behind every outstanding performance was a team of dedicated experts working tirelessly to help them perform at their best. From physiotherapists and physical preparation coaches to sports scientists and performance support staff, these specialists played a critical role in Australia’s campaign at Glasgow 2026.
Eleven Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) staff were selected to support the Australian team at the Games, a reflection of the depth of expertise that exists within the institute and a reinforcement of the VIS’s reputation as one of Australia’s leading high-performance environments. Six were seconded into Team Australia HQ roles, providing support to every Australian athlete across the Games, while a further five were embedded within specific sports, delivering specialised, team-wide support in athletics, judo and swimming.
Representing Australia at a major international Games is a significant professional achievement. It reflects not only individual excellence but also the collective strength of the high-performance system that exists within Victoria, and Glasgow 2026 gave VIS staff the opportunity to put that expertise to work on the world stage, supporting a Team Australia campaign that returned 171 medals across the Games.
High Performance Director Rebekah Webster said the appointments reflected the calibre of expertise housed at the VIS, and that the Games had been a proud moment for the institute.
“Our practitioners are among the very best in their respective fields. Every day they help Victorian athletes pursue excellence, and it was fantastic to see that expertise recognised on the international stage,” Webster said.
“These appointments were something the entire VIS could be proud of. They reflect our commitment to delivering world-class performance support and demonstrate the important role the VIS continues to play within Australia’s high-performance sporting system.”
The VIS has a proud history of contributing to Australia’s success at major international events, with its staff regularly selected to support national teams at Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games, as well as world championships across numerous sports. Glasgow 2026 continues that tradition, with VIS-supported athletes themselves also delivering a standout campaign, contributing 32 medals to Australia’s overall total across athletics, swimming, cycling, gymnastics, judo, netball, boxing and wheelchair basketball.
As the Commonwealth Games Australia team returns home from Glasgow, the VIS congratulates all staff selected for Games roles.
Team Australia leadership
- Dr Susan White AM, Chief Medical Officer (VIS Director, Performance Health)
- Steve Hawkins, Performance Support Services Lead (VIS Physiotherapy Lead)
Performance and support team
- Dr Ebonie Rio, Physiotherapist (VIS Professor of Research and Physiotherapist)
- Sarah Dyce, Content Officer (VIS Public Affairs and Marketing Manager)
- Manna McLeod, Team Nurse (VIS Nurse)
- Keely Wallace-Kilbane, HR and Operations (VIS HR Coordinator)
Embedded in specific Commonwealth Games sports
- Kevin Craigie, Athletics Physiotherapist (VIS Physiotherapist)
- Dr Avish Sharma, Athletics Physiologist (VIS Performance Scientist)
- Fiona Jacobs, Judo Physiotherapist (VIS Physiotherapist)
- Dr Victoria Brackley, Swimming Biomechanist (VIS Performance Scientist)
- Jono Wallace Smith, Physical Preparation Coach (VIS Performance Support, Assistant Manager, Physical Preparation)
