AA announced yesterday that Max Binnington would be standing down as the national performance manager after four years in the role.

Following the post-Beijing Olympics review, AA has decided to restructure its high performance department.

''When Max took over four years ago, by necessity the job had a very wide brief,'' AA chief executive Danny Corcoran said yesterday.

''I think we now need to have someone who can focus on the challenges facing the leading athletes and probably focus on that as 90 per cent of the job.

''They will need to work with the athletes, work through any problems with the coaches and let's set sail for London [the 2012 Olympics].

''For us the challenge now is to develop the biggest pool of athletes in the build-up to London.''

''That includes through the Commonwealth Games in 2010 and giving the athletes as many chances as we can to fill that pool.''

AA is hoping to appoint a replacement for Binnington by January, before the major meets of the domestic season.

Binnington will remain with AA in a consulting role.

In addition to AA's internal review, the Federal Government is conducting a review into the Australian sporting system, which could have a significant effect on athletics.

Its findings are expected to be released next year.

''If we are to keep pace with the rest of the world, we need to invest heavily in sport at the beginning of the four-year cycle to set the stage for success in London in 2012,'' Corcoran said.

Meanwhile, Tim Barbour has stepped down as AA's medical director after six years.

Adam Castricum will replace Barbour for the coming domestic season. AAP