The Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) has appointed Dr Emily Meehan to Nutrition Manager, recognising her outstanding contribution to athlete performance, academic excellence and leadership since joining VIS in 2022.
This internal appointment strengthens VIS’s capacity to deliver evidence-based nutrition services that underpin world-class high performance outcomes for VIS athletes and coaches across multiple programs on the pathway to Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games success.
Dr Meehan brings a combination of high performance sport experience and academic rigour, with PhD research that has added to the evidence base informing contemporary sports nutrition practice. Her work focuses on translating complex sports nutrition research into practical, athlete-centred strategies, supporting sustainable high performance outcomes across elite programs including previous contributions to Collingwood AFL/W, Malaysian cycling and Suncorp Super Netball.
This appointment allows the VIS nutrition function to drive world class, innovative work and research that benefits our athletes and the high performance sporting ecosystem.
Since joining the VIS in 2022, Dr Meehan has been instrumental in supporting athletes and coaches through a relationships-based approach grounded in excellence, integrity and collaboration. Her appointment reflects both her technical expertise and her capacity to lead and develop high-performing multidisciplinary teams in a dynamic high performance environment.
In line with the VIS flexible working policy, Dr Meehan has been able to contribute significantly to performance outcomes for VIS athletes, while accessing flexible arrangements that support staff at different stages of their lives. Her appointment highlights VIS’s commitment to sustainable, diverse career pathways in high performance sport, where practitioners are supported to thrive professionally in sport and life.
The VIS nutrition program, under Dr Meehan’s leadership, will play a pivotal role in preparing VIS athletes for upcoming Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games cycles, building on VIS-supported athletes’ achievements of 23 medals (five gold, four silver and 14 bronze) at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as contributions to Australia’s Winter and Commonwealth Games campaigns.
Quotes attributable to Nicole Livingstone AO, Chief Executive Officer:
“Emily is an exceptional practitioner and leader across our system. Her academic background, coupled with her practical experience, positions her perfectly to lead our nutrition program into the future.”
Quotes attributable to Dr Emily Meehan, Nutrition Manager:
“It’s a privilege to work with such a talented nutrition team and to work in an environment that values both performance and people. I’m passionate about evidence-informed practice and excited to continue supporting VIS athletes to perform at their best.”
