22 women selected to participate in this year’s AIS Accelerate program

January 20, 2022

22 women have been selected to take part in this year’s AIS Accelerate program, which supports the professional development of women athletes to further progress their career prospects in sport. Among those selected in this year’s AIS Accelerate program are six athletes from last year’s Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic Games.

AIS Accelerate is designed to increase the number and visibility of women in sport leadership positions by providing career coaching and leadership development for high performance women athletes.

Now in its second year, the AIS Accelerate program for 2022 will also include the likes of retired Olympic champions Anna Meares and Danielle Woodhouse, athletics world champion Dani Stevens, Australian Basketball Hall of Famer Rachel Sporn and Paralympic stalwart Eliza Stankovic-Mowle (nee Ault-Connell).

AIS Accelerate is part of a suite of women in sport programs being delivered by the AIS and Sport Australia as part of the Women Leaders in Sport program, supported by $3.4 million in funding over four years from the Office for Women.

Federal Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck said the Australian Government is committed to supporting our women athletes both in and out of the sporting arena and notes “the AIS Accelerate program and others being delivered by this funding is about giving women the tools to reach their leadership potential.

“We need more gender diversity in the leadership ranks of Australian sport and the AIS Accelerate program is a tangible way to bring about real change.

“The AIS Accelerate program is an investment in our women athletes to help them reach their leadership potential, and in the process, they will inspire women and girls across the country.”

Among the AIS Accelerate participants are 13 Olympians, two Paralympians, eight Commonwealth Games athletes and multiple world champions. Anna Meares is one of three four-time Olympians in the group and advised “I’ve had the immense privilege to represent my country on the biggest sporting stage, now I’d love to be one of those behind the scenes to bring about further growth, opportunity and experience for women in the space I love, ‘Sport’.

“Being a part of the AIS Accelerate program is where I’m starting to make that happen.”

Paralympic Rower Renae Domaschenz notes “while there has been progress in terms of female participation in sport, it is still not matched in terms of leadership and decision making at the highest of levels. Athletes have these skills and they’ve fine-tuned these skills across the lifespan of being an athlete.

“A place in this program will provide me with opportunity to explore further development in influencing change in society around women in elite sport.”

Australian Sports Commission Chair Josephine Sukkar said she was not only impressed by the calibre of athletes attracted to the program, but excited about their ongoing potential to contribute to Australian sport.

Sukkar added “retaining the experience and skills of women athletes after they retire is crucial to the continued success of Australian sport. This is an extraordinary group of women. They have a combined experience of 31 Olympic and Paralympic Games appearances, ranging from Atlanta in 1996 through to Tokyo in 2021, as well at multiple Commonwealth Games and World Championships.

“The experience formed from representing your country at this level is invaluable and it is important that we make sure this experience is utilised to help guide and shape Australian sport into the future.”

2022 AIS Accelerate Participants: Alice Ingley (archery), Amanda Ross (equestrian), Anna Meares (cycling), Becchara Palmer (beach volleyball), Bernadette Wallace (canoe sprint), Bronwen Knox (water polo), Brooke Wilkins-Penfold (softball), Caitlin Bassett (netball), Ciona Wilson (rowing), Dani Louise Stevens (athletics), Danielle Woodhouse (water polo), Eliza Stankovic-Mowle nee Ault-Connell (para-athletics), Gracie Elvin (cycling), Jennifer Jane Tait (volleyball), Jessica Moore (tennis), Kaarle McCulloch (cycling), Larissa Pasternatsky (athletics), Lucy Kennedy (cycling), Lyndsay Troode (athletics), Maxine Seear (triathlon), Rachael Sporn (basketball), Renae Domaschenz (para-rowing)

Image top: Anna Meares courtesy commonwealthgames.com.au/

15th November 2021 - Australian Government and AIS offer almost $44 million to support athletes’ long-term medal prospects

15th November 2021 - AIS launches study into impacts of pregnancy in high performance sport

9th September 2021 - AIS programs aim to elevate women coaches in Australian high performance sport

25th July 2021 - AIS Chief Executive congratulates Australia’s swimming performance at Tokyo Olympic Games

11th December 2020 - AIS maintains support for athlete development

3rd December 2020 - AIS and Paralympics Australia partnership expands mental health support to future Paralympians

28th November 2020 - AIS launches national taskforce to make Australia world leader in high performance coaching

29th October 2020 - Australia’s Paralympic triathlon program to receive AIS funding boost

28th October 2020 - AIS announces $115 million funding for sports and athletes

7th September 2020 - The Australian Institute of Sport raises awareness on disordered eating in high performance sport

22nd August 2020 - AIS backs athlete preventative healthcare model with scholarship program

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