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The Australian Institute of Fitness (AIF) is a privately owned, registered training organisation, and one of the largest fitness training organisations in Australia.[1] Beginning operations as the Health Studio Attendants course in Perth in 1979, the Institute became Australia's first national fitness training provider in 2000, with the merger of five state-based fitness training programs.[2]
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Other name | AIF |
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Former name | ACHPER Fitness Leader; Australian Fitness Network; Institute for Fitness Professionals; National College of Fitness; the Australian Institute of Fitness |
Type | Registered training organisation |
Established | 1979 |
Founder | Greg Hurst, Nigel Champion, Russell Creagh |
Parent institution | Clean Health Group |
Chairman | Daine McDonald |
Chief Executive Officer | Daine McDonald |
Location | Australia |
Website | www.fitness.edu.au |
History
editIn 1979, sports educator and author Nigel Champion began running a Health Studio Attendants course in Perth, the first of its kind in Australia. In 1981, Champion partnered with Australian academic Dr Garry Egger to establish the ACHPER Fitness Leader group of courses in Sydney; before joining, in 1986, with fitness entrepreneur Greg Hurst to establish the Australian Fitness Network.[3] In 2000, Hurst & Champion together with Russell Creagh, Monty Dortkamp, Dr Grant Pavia and Kerry McEvoy, merged five existing fitness training programs – ACHPER Fitness Leader; Australian Fitness Network; Institute for Fitness Professionals; National College of Fitness; and the Australian Institute of Fitness – to create the national Australian Institute of Fitness (AIF).
Russell Creagh served as the first CEO of the consolidated AIF, from 2001 to 2006, followed by Greg Hurst (2006–2011) and Dyanne Ward (2011–2016). In December 2016, Steve Pettit, then CEO of AIF Queensland, was appointed as its National Chief Executive on the retirement of Dyanne Ward.[4]
Since its inception, the founding entities provided a variety of fitness industry-specific certification and training courses. Following the Federal Government's 1996 training reform agenda, these courses were incorporated into the Australian Qualifications Framework. Since 1996, AIF has delivered nationally recognised qualifications in fitness, massage and business, in compliance with the regulatory standards of the Australian Qualifications Framework.[5]
In early 2024, the AIF was acquired by Clean Health, the worlds trusted source of online education for fitness professionals which was Founded by fitness industry legend Daine McDonald, signalling a new era for the company as it transitions into a 100% online fitness education business. The full press release can be found here.
Company overview
editBoard of directors
edit- Daine McDonald – CEO and Chairman [2024–present]
- Lauren McDonald – Vice Chairperson [2024–present]
- Nouri Groom – Chief Financial Officer [2018–present]
- Paul Siderovski [2024–present]
Ambassadors
edit- Michelle Bridges [2009 – 2017]
- Hayden Quinn [2015 – 2017]
Courses and subjects
editAIF is an Australian Registered Training Organisation (RTO) delivering vocational education and training (VET) courses at Certificate III, Certificate IV and Diploma level. Auditing and registration of Australian RTOs is managed by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), as such AIF's programs must meet guidelines set out by State and Federal Governments and associated training bodies.[5]
Registered training organisation
editAustralian Institute of Fitness (RTO ID 121508) is approved to deliver the following qualifications under the Australian Qualifications Framework:
- Certificate III in Fitness (SIS30315)
- Certificate IV in Fitness (SIS40215)
- Certificate IV in Nutrition (11046NAT)
- Diploma of Remedial Massage (HLT52015)
Programs and Courses offered
edit- Master Trainer Program™ (Certificate IV in Fitness SIS40215)
- Master Nutritionist Program™ (Certificate IV in Nutrition 11046NAT)
- Remedial Massage Therapist (Diploma of Remedial Massage HLT52015)
Monty Dortkamp Scholarships
editThe Monty Dortkamp Scholarship Program awards one scholarship annually covering the tuition costs of a Master Trainer Program™ certification. The scholarship was established by AIF in memory of Monty Dortkamp, to assist people from disadvantaged backgrounds and communities.[6][7]
Awards and recognition
editNotable students and graduates
edit- Michelle Bridges – Australian personal trainer, author and TV personality
- Libby Babet – Trainer on The Biggest Loser (Australian TV series)
- Laura Dundovic – Model and social media influencer
- Kayla Itsines – Founder of the Bikini Body Guide and social media influencer
- Hayden Quinn – 2012 Cleo Bachelor of the Year, 2011 MasterChef Australia contestant, and co -owner of The Cube Gym
- Emily Seebohm – Three-time Australian Olympian
- Jayde Taylor – Australian Olympian and Hockeyroo[8]
- Libby Trickett – Three-time Australian Olympic gold medalist
- Brittany Elmslie – Represented Australia at the 2012 Summer Olympics in swimming.
- Leisel Jones – Gold, silver and bronze medalist in Swimming at the 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games.[9]
- Matt Hodgson – Australian professional rugby union player for the Wallabies and Super Rugby team the Western Force.
- Tim Robards – 2013 ‘Bachelor’ and founder of ‘The Robards Method’
Industry Awards
editFinalist 2015 NSW Training Awards – Large Training Provider of the Year[10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Australian Institute of Fitness". MySkills Training provider Details. Department of Education and Training. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
- ^ "The Institute – Who we are". Australian Institute of Fitness. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
- ^ "Nigel Champion Profile". fitnessresearch.edu.au. Fitness Research. Archived from the original on 21 August 2017. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
- ^ "Australian Institute of Fitness names new Chief Executive". Australasian Leisure Management. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
- ^ a b "Clean Health Announces Australian Institute of Fitness Acquisition". Australasian Leisure Management. Aus Leisure. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^ "Monty Dortkamp Scholarship". Retrieved 20 August 2017.
- ^ "Fitness industry + those in need: a Fit for Good". Australian Fitness Network. Archived from the original on 20 August 2017. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
- ^ "Good News Story – Australian Institute of Fitness". ACPET. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
- ^ "Liesel Jones". Australian Olympic Committee. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
- ^ "Australian Institute of Fitness Named a Finalist in 2015 NSW Training Awards". Australasian Leisure Management. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
External links
edit- Official website
- The Fitness Leaders Handbook, by Nigel Champion, Garry Egger, Allan Bolton.