Victoria Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty

Minister Pays Tribute To Victorian Institute Of Sport Legend – Frank Pyke

Victor P Taffa

Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty today paid tribute to former Victorian Institute of Sport Executive Director, Professor Frank Pyke, who passed away yesterday at the age of 69.

“Today Australian sport has lost a true legend who dedicated his life to working with Australia’s elite athletes, to not only excel in the sporting arena but in life as well.” Mr. Delahunty said.

“On behalf of the Victorian Government and all Victorians, I offer my condolences to the Pyke family.”

“After a successful cricket, football, and athletics sporting career in Western Australia, playing with the likes of 1970’s football legend Barry Cable, Frank put this same determination into sports science and the development of innovative rehabilitation techniques for top athletes.”

“As a young professor of human movement Professor Pyke was responsible for the remarkable recovery of Dennis Lillee after suffering a serious back injury during the tour of the West Indies in 1972.”

“In 1990, he became the first Executive Director of the Victorian Institute of Sport and worked with hundreds of elite Victorian sports stars to not only improve their athletic performances, but to also assist them succeed in life outside sport.”

“Frank remained at the Victorian Institute of Sport until his retirement in 2006.”

“Testimony to his great work is that the techniques and programs he helped to develop are still used at the Victorian Institute of Sport and across the world today.” Mr. Delahunty said.