01 May 2025
While many Australians used the Easter break to rest and recharge, it was full steam ahead at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), with hundreds of eager athletes on site for high performance training camps and testing.
Among them was 18-year-old middle-distance superstar Cameron Myers, who is preparing to make his senior international debut at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September.
Fresh from winning the 1500m at the Australian Athletics Championships, the Canberra local returned to the AIS for a series of fitness tests to fine-tune his performance before heading overseas — and to enjoy a few campus perks while he was at it.
“When I’m in Canberra, I’m pretty much here every day,” Myers said.
“I use the dining hall a lot. I reckon that’s one of the best things about the AIS; great, great food.”
Coaching him through the journey is Dr Dick Telford — the AIS’s first-ever sport scientist, who played a key role in setting up the Physiology lab where Myers was put through his paces.
Reflecting on how the lab has evolved since its early days, Telford said: “We started with just one staff member, one treadmill, one bike and an oxygen consumption system we set up ourselves.
“Nothing was as sophisticated as it is now; it’s remarkable how far things have come.”
Myers wasn’t the only one getting stuck into training in Canberra. The Junior Matildas kicked off their campaign to qualify for both the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup China and the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2026 with a six-day camp.
The Australian Women’s Rugby team the Wallaroos were also in town for a selection camp ahead of the upcoming test against Fijiana (Fiji’s women’s rugby team) and the Pacific Four Series against Canada, the USA and New Zealand.
Wallaroos head coach Jo Yapp said: "We’ve had a fantastic four days in camp and have selected a squad that we are looking to grow and develop as a side.”
In total, 350 athletes, coaches and staff from seven different sports came through the AIS in April, holding 11 high performance camps.
- •
- •
- •
- •
1/4
2/4
The Junior Matildas training at the AIS for their first camp of the year, marking the start of their new international cycle. Image: Football Australia
3/4
The Australian Women’s Rugby team, the Wallaroos, were training at the AIS for a selection camp ahead of their upcoming games. Image: Wallaroos Rugby
4/4
Wrestling Australia's April training camp at the AIS was aimed at developing their athletes and preparing for the upcoming Southeast Asian Championships. Image: Wrestling Australia
