In 2021, the AIS committed to further developing the capacity and capability of the Australian high performance coaching workforce through offering customised learning and experiential opportunities.

Since then, several major initiatives have been launched. The AIS Coach Summit program connects high performance coaches from Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sports with a senior coach once a fortnight to share insights and challenges. The program culminated with a face-to-face summit in Uluru in 2022.

The National Generation 2032 Coach Program provides 31 developing coaches, including 20 women, with paid two-year apprenticeships in high performance sport. Over the next 2 years, the coaches will attend 6 AIS learning labs to help advance their skills and knowledge.

Several Olympians are among the cohort, including water polo star Rowie Webster.

“This opportunity is important to create a pathway for home grown coaches to propel into the Australian sporting world, increase diversity of coaches in Australia, especially female coaches and make an impact and commitment to the sustainability of Australian sport,” said Webster.

In addition to this, Coach Development Initiative grants of up to $40,000 were awarded to 14 sporting organisations to drive the development of their high performance coaches through supporting new or existing initiatives.

Athletics Australia will use the grant to fund international coaching opportunities for women coaches, while Skate Australia will deliver state-of-the-art video-based technology training to assist coaches in optimising skater performances.

This piece of work falls within our key strategic pillars outlined in the 2021-22 Annual Report.