The brand-new South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) High-Performance Facility impressed International University Sports Federation representatives.
In a visit that showcased one of the most integrated high-performance sport and education ecosystems in the world, representatives of FISU and national university sports leaders were welcomed to the brand-new South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) High-Performance Facility in Adelaide. This collaboration between SASI and the newest University in Australia, Adelaide University, represents a global best practice in combining elite sport, cutting-edge research, student development, and healthy campus values.
The delegation included FISU Secretary General, CEO Matthias Remund and his Deputy Fernando Parente, FISU Senior Executive Committee Member Martin Doulton, FISU Oceania President David Schmude, UniSport Australia CEO Mark Sinderberry and representatives from the Indian National University Sports Federation.
They were welcomed by UniSport Australia GM-Strategic Partnerships Jane Woodlands-Thompson and guided by SASI personnel and Professor Jon Buckley, Executive Dean of Allied Health and Human Performance at UniSA, a key architect of the academic integration. The group was also accompanied by Michelle Wilson, CEO of Adelaide University Sport and Fitness.
They were welcomed by UniSport Australia GM-Strategic Partnerships Jane Woodlands-Thompson and guided by SASI personnel and Professor Jon Buckley, Executive Dean of Allied Health and Human Performance at UniSA, a key architect of the academic integration. The group was also accompanied by Michelle Wilson, CEO of Adelaide University Sport and Fitness.
Innovation and integration at its best
The visit offered a firsthand look at the facility, opened in early 2025, the Mile End complex features an extraordinary array of infrastructure, including:
An elite-level environmental chamber for heat and altitude training;
Biomechanics and exercise physiology laboratories equipped with real-time analytics tools;
A strength and conditioning gym, movement studio, and recovery centre;
And a dedicated Sport Science Hub, purpose-built for immersive teaching and collaborative research.
Setting the benchmark for global and university Sport
For FISU Secretary General Matthias Remund, the visit highlighted how institutional cooperation can elevate sport and education simultaneously: “We saw today how a shared vision between a university and a sport institute can create a world-leading facility that not only prepares athletes for international podiums but also fosters knowledge, research, inclusion, and healthy lifestyles on campus and beyond.”
Mark Sinderberry, CEO of UniSport Australia, referred that: “Hosting FISU in Australia is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the strength of our university sport system and build deeper international connections that benefit our student-athletes and institutions alike.”
A living laboratory for Healthy Campus values
The presence of Michelle Wilson, CEO of Adelaide University Sport and Fitness, further underscored the university’s commitment to holistic student wellbeing and its leadership in the FISU Healthy Campus programme.
“This is a true flagship of integration,” said Fernando Parente. “It’s not just a training centre, it’s a complete environment where university students, athletes, and researchers collaborate daily. It exemplifies the FISU Healthy Campus philosophy in action — linking sport, health, science, and education.”
Students from sport and exercise science degrees undertake hands-on learning inside the facility, working alongside SASI’s high-performance staff and athletes. The connection between academic programs and elite sport delivery is seamless, ensuring student development is not theoretical but deeply practical and impactful.
A blueprint for the future
With the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games on the horizon, and Adelaide emerging as a preferred destination for international training camps, this model serves as a replicable blueprint for cities and institutions worldwide.
FISU Senior Executive Committee member Martin Doulton added “This is what the future of university sport should look like, multi-use spaces, student‑centred innovation, and true partnerships that benefit every level of sport.”
The May 22 visit reaffirmed the global relevance of partnerships. As FISU continues to promote the integration of sport, education, and wellbeing through initiatives like the Healthy Campus programme, this project in Adelaide stands out as a global benchmark. It is a shining example of how sport, science, and student development can thrive, together.
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