the Commonwealth Government had begun its significant involvement in Australian sport. The Australian Labor Party in its 1983 election sport policy recommended the establishment of a sports commission to provide a more co-ordinated approach to sport. In 1984, an Interim Committee report recommended its establishment. The Australian Sports Commission was formally established by the Australian Sports Commission Act 1985. In August 1987, the Australian Government formalised their decision to rationalise federal assistance to Australian sport and the Australian Institute of Sport merged with the Australian Sports Commission, which was to be the agency responsible for general sports participation as well as high performance sport. Since its establishment, the ASC has implemented several major Australian Government sports policies: 1989 – Australian Sports Kit 1992 – Maintain the Momentum 1994 – Olympic Athlete Program 2001 – Backing Australia's Sporting Ability 2010 – Australian Sport : the Pathway to Success 2012 – Australia's Winning Edge 2018 – Sport 2030 – National Sport Plan Administration The ASC is a statutory authority of the Australian Government, that is governed by a board of Commissioners appointed by the Minister for Sport. The ASC's roles and responsibilities are prescribed in the Australian Sports Commission Act 1989. The ASC attempts to promote an effective national sports system that offers improved participation in quality sports by all Australians. In addition, the ASC helps those who are talented and motivated to reach their potential excellence in sports performance. The ASC achieves these objectives by administering and funding national sporting programs on behalf of the Government and providing leadership, co-ordination and support for the sport sector. The ASC works closely with a range of national sporting organisations, state and local governments, schools and community organisations to ensure sport is well run and accessible so that everyone can participate and enjoy the benefits. The ASC supports participation in sport, from grass roots participation to participation at the elite level. Chairman of the ASC Board Ted Harris 1984–1994 Mike Fitzpatrick 1994–1997 Peter Bartels 1997–2008 Greg Hartung 2008–2010 Warwick Smith 2010–2012 John Wylie 2012–2020 Josephine Sukkar 2021– Chief executive officers Greg Hartung 1984–1988 Ronald Harvey 1989 Perry Crosswhite – acting (1988–1990) Jim Ferguson 1990–2000 Mark Peters 2001-2008 Matt Miller 2009-2011 Simon Hollingsworth 2012–2016 Kate Palmer 2017–2020 Kieren Perkins 2021- Organisational structure The organisational structure of the Australian Sports Commission has changed many times since its establishment as can be seen through its annual reports.