Eager members of the public were granted the rare opportunity to tour the VIS' upgraded facilities and gain an insight into the lives of the institute's elite athletes and their support staff.
With Paris 2024 looming, athletes and staff took the time to share information about their Olympics preparation through a range of family-friendly demonstrations and activities.
These included interactive sports skills and drill demonstrations with VIS athletes, cooking and nutrition classes with VIS dieticians, recovery classes with VIS strength and conditioning coaches, as well as mental preparation and performance classes with VIS sports psychologists.
Athlete discussion panels proved particularly popular and gave attendees direct insight into the professional careers of current VIS athletes; netball world champion star, Liz Watson, Paralympian cyclist Alistair Donohoe, and former Paralympic athletics champion, Kelly Cartwright.
Fan favourites included wheelchair basketball, where attendees could try their luck at a game of 3-on-3, as well as long-range target practice with VIS archers. Free 20-minute workout classes run by VIS official apparel partner, 2XU, were also a hit.
“It’s been really cool to share the VIS with the community. This place is my second home so it’s nice to show off it’s facilities and the incredible support staff who help us achieve our goals. It was great to see so many kids out here trying new sports, and hopefully we see some of them back here in the future as VIS athlete scholarship holders!” said Paralympian and Open Day ambassador, Alistair Donohoe.
Attendees were also able to participate in activities and expos run by fellow sporting bodies such as Rowing Victoria, Paralympics Australia, Sport4All and the Australian Sports Commission, plus many more. Athletic retailer, The Athlete's Foot, offered foot scans and free giveaways for kids.
VIS official partners, Open Universities Australia and the Maribyrnong Sports Academy, were also on hand to provide information about their respective educational courses and athletics programs.
Overall, the day proved a great success, and the VIS looks forward to welcoming visitors back in the future!
Open Day Highlights Gallery
