Long story short: the South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) is “in the business of creating fabulous role models for South Australia,” says Director Keren Faulkner, who stepped into the Director role late last year.

“We find the best potential athletes out there, we bring them in, we recruit top-quality qualified staff in terms of sport science and coaching, and we partner with sports bodies to nurture and develop those individuals into world-class athletes and all-round great people,” she says.

This process takes a village, and brings enormous benefits not just to those talented individuals, but to all of South Australia – and ultimately the nation. Now that we know the ‘what’, we delve into the who, why, when, where and how of the South Australian Sports Institute, or SASI.

Who

“SASI has always been and will continue to be all about our people,” says Keren (pictured below), for whom inclusivity is a big priority. In fact, giving all athletes the same opportunities is key to “the whole team’s success,” she says.

“Our performance benefits when we’re inclusive of everybody, no matter their gender, race, sexuality or ability.” As SASI’s first female Director, Keren says she’s excited about leading an organisation that’s a bastion of gender equality, as well as a safe and welcoming place for the LGBTIQA+ community.

SASI’s range of sports programs is just as inclusive: “SASI is definitely not just about athletics,” Keren says. “We’re the heart of SA sporting success.” From swimmers, divers and cyclists to hockey players, weightlifters and beach volleyballers, SASI is the training and support hub for every type of elite athlete.

Why

SASI’s mission, as described in its new branding, is “powering greatness” – in every aspect of life. The focus is on nurturing “the holistic athlete”. “It’s not just about their talent and what they do on the sporting field – it’s also the way they contribute to the community, their studies, their work and the rest of their life,” Keren says.

“Sport is not always a forever job for people,” she says. SASI also supports its athletes as they transition out of sport, where they can use their on-field leadership and collaboration skills in an off-field career.

That means SASI doesn’t just benefit our elite athletes – boosting participation in sport across SA is also a goal. “For me I’m really passionate about collaboration and creating positive experiences, positive role models, having athletes engage in the community and to give back,” says Keren.

When

Excitement is building as SASI prepares to open the doors to its new state-of-the-art facility in August 2024. This $88 million project marks the beginning of a new era for SASI. The cutting-edge facility is set to be a game-changer, providing world-class sports, research, and education opportunities for high-performance athletes and students.

Meanwhile, it’s definitely not business as usual for SASI right now as the clock ticks down to the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, commencing in July and August. While most official selections are yet to be announced, the SASI athletes who are potentially going to Paris include weightlifter Kiana Elliott, and swimmers Kyle Chalmers and Matthew Temple. On the Paralympic front, middle-distance runner, Angus Hincksman and triathlete Anu Francis, are stars in the making, while cyclist Darren Hicks is “absolutely in a class of his own,” according to Keren.

Where

The new SASI facility is strategically co-located at Mile End, alongside the Australian Centre for Sports Aerodynamics, SA Athletics Stadium, and Netball SA Stadium. This placement creates one of Australia's best high-performance sports precincts, right on the doorstep of Adelaide’s CBD.

“We can all be really proud of it,” Keren says. “Our SA athletes understand their state has invested in their future. When they’re working in this world-class facility, they have more confidence to go above and beyond. That inspires future generations and has a huge knock-on effect, increasing more young people to get involved in sport.”

The new SASI is also perfectly placed to get involved with major events across the state. “Our new facility will be within a few kilometres of the city centre, so visiting teams staying in Adelaide can come down and use our facilities for training,” Keren says. That’s a huge new incentive to attract the world’s best athletes to SA events, allowing South Aussies to see them in action and boosting the economy with event-tourism dollars.

How

The State Government’s investment of $68 million is what’s made the new SASI possible, along with an additional $20 million from UniSA. It shows South Australia’s commitment to creating a world-class environment to nurture tomorrow’s global sports champions.

“As we move to this fantastic new facility, our partnership with UniSA will give us great opportunities to promote the way research, science and academia can work together with sport,” Keren says, “We can provide great opportunities for people coming through university studies and new opportunities for sports innovation.”

The new SASI facility will feature cutting-edge spaces such as a strength and conditioning gym, environmental chamber, full-sized indoor court, and advanced laboratories. These facilities are not just for training; they are platforms for talent identification, athlete development, and educational opportunities. Keren is really excited to see how the athletes will thrive in a training environment that’s the best of the best.

This story originally appeared on The Post - a media partnership between the Government of South Australia and Solstice Media to inform young South Australians about the policies that underpin issues affecting their lives.