A major event in Victoria 30 years ago continues to leave a more than $20 million golden legacy for athletes in Victoria. The Commonwealth Games, which saw 217 events over 10 days with 65 nations represented in Victoria in 1994, left many lasting impacts on the community including in infrastructure and volunteerism (the event brought out 14,000 volunteers), but perhaps most notably was the legacy fund, which continues to provide resources for high-performance sports training. "With funds now in excess of $25 million, and at least that amount put to work over the last 30 years, the legacy continues to deliver on its intended purpose which is really to leverage the strengths of the region and provide opportunities for coaches and athletes," said John MacMillan, president of the legacy fund, 94 Forward.
The organization grows the legacy fund with Pacific Institute for Sport Education (PISE). At an Aug. 22 press event at PISE celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Games, the continued impact of the legacy was touched upon.
Stephen Chang, on the board of directors for PISE, highlighted that PISE currently works with over 10,000 kids annually to develop physical literacy skills and will continue to do so with their new Gift of Potential Program, with more to be announced in the following weeks. "It will enable PISE to build our youth programs, reach more teens, and help them with their performance development pathway in their sport or simply in their lifelong journeys to leading a.