Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

AIS program addresses under-representation of women in coaching and executive roles

AIS program addresses under-representation of women in coaching and executive roles
March 17, 2022

32 women from 20 sports have been selected for the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Talent Program, which is designed to address the under-representation of women in coaching and executive roles in high performance sport.

Former Australian cricketer Shelley Nitschke and two-time Olympic water polo representative Bec Rippon are among those women selected for the IS program.

Federal Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck announced the 16 coaches and 16 executives who have been selected for the intensive Women Leaders in Sport (WLIS) professional development programs funded by the Australian Government’s Office for Women and Sport Australia.

The AIS Talent program has been designed to be a catalyst for identified women leaders to further progress their career potential in sport, this year with an emphasis on coaching and executive positions.

Minister Colbeck notes “we want the participants in this program to grow their leadership presence as individuals, but also to be influential in shifting mind-sets and behaviours in sport and broader community.

“The Australian Government has been strong and consistent in our approach to increasing opportunities for women and girls at all levels of sport, from participation in community sport through to the leaders running our organisations.

“We’ve made no secret of our aspiration to have a greater proportion of women in leadership roles in Australian sport and it’s encouraging to see the wide range of sports and organisations engaging with this AIS Talent program.

“The next decade in particular, leading up to the 2032 Brisbane Games, will be one of the most exciting chapters in Australian sporting history. It’s crucial that we have the right talent, diversity and balance within the leadership ranks of our sporting system, whether it be in the boardroom or in the sporting arena.”

This is the second time the AIS Talent Program has had a high performance coach focus, with alumni including two-time Olympic gold medallist Katrina Powell, the first woman coach of the Hockeyroos in 43 years. Like Powell, former Australian allrounder Shelley Nitschke has also successfully transitioned from athlete to coach and is currently at the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand as the Assistant Coach of the Australian Cricket Team.

Nitschke advises “I’m honoured to have been accepted into the AIS Talent Program alongside some amazing women from across the sporting sector and I’m looking forward to connecting with them and getting stuck into the program.

“The program presents a wonderful opportunity for me to further myself both personally and professionally and I’m hoping it will help taking my coaching to a new level.”

Running in conjunction to the AIS Women High Performance Coach Talent Program will be a program focused on supporting and elevating women in executive positions in sport.

Debbie Savage, the National High Performance Manager at Skate Australia adds " I'm thrilled to be selected for the AIS Executive Talent Program. It’s an exciting opportunity to be afforded time to develop my own professional capabilities as an executive leader in Skateboarding, whilst strengthening my network with other amazing women in the high performance sport system who are sharing a similar journey."

AIS Director Matti Clements notes “the calibre of participants selected for this year’s AIS Talent Program is proof of the incredible skill and experience that already exists in Australian high performance sport.

“But there is no hiding from the fact that women are still under-represented in both coaching and executive ranks. I would like to thank the Australian Government and Office for Women for giving the AIS resources to help change this and look forward to seeing the AIS Talent participants help drive greater diversity in Australian sport.”

For more information about the AIS Talent Program, visit the AIS website 

Image: Former Australian allrounder Shelley Nitschke has also successfully transitioned from athlete to coach and is currently at the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand as the Assistant Coach of the Australian Cricket Team.

 

2022 AIS Female Sport Executive Talent Program:

Megan Carr, Female Engagement Manager VIC, Golf Australia

Christine Harman, General Counsel and Company Secretary, Cricket Australia

Rana Hussain, Inclusion and Diversity Manager, Cricket Australia

Dee Jennings, Performance and Planning Manager, Hockey Australia

Cassie Lindsey, Inclusion and Diversity Manager, Geelong Football Club

Jane Louise Woodlands-Thompson, Director/ Consultant, Activebods

Sarah Luttrell, Senior Legal Counsel, Tennis Australia

Jane McGough, General Manager - Consumer, Community and Marketing, Gold Coast SUNS Football Club

Tracey Menzies-Stegbauer, Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement Manager, Gymnastics Australia

Carolyn Morrison, Performance Services Program Manager, Western Australian Institute of Sport

Jenni Thom, HR and Finance Manager, Shooting Australia

Jodie Newton, Acting Chief Executive Officer, South Australian Cricket Association

Melanie Purkiss, Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement Manager, Athletics Australia

Rachel Ratini, General Manager - Sport Operations, Equestrian Australia

Debbie Savage, National High Performance Manager, Skate Australia

Rebekah Webster, General Manager- Vixens, Performance & Pathways, Netball Victoria & the Melbourne Vixens

2022 AIS Female High Performance Coach Talent Program:

Ash Ankudinoff, Coach, SASI

Alison Bombardier, Manager and Assistant Coach Para Alpine Ski Team, Snow Australia

Belinda Cox Gymnastics, Manager - Pathways and Performance, NSW Trampoline

Taís de Morais Rochel, Fencing Coach/ Personal Trainer, Australian Fencing Federation

Rebecca Dicello, Head Endurance Cycling Coach, NSWIS

Lucy Glanville, 2022 Youth/Junior World Championships Head Coach, Australian Biathlon Association

Belinda Goss, Cycling Coach, TIS

Harriet May Jones, Head Diving Coach, VIS

Shelley Nitschke, Assistant Coach - Australian Women's Team, Cricket Australia

Kerry O'Sullivan, AFLW Development Coach, West Coast Eagles Football Club

Catherine Paice, Strength and Conditioning Coach, Football Queensland/QAS

Rebecca Rippon, Women's Water Polo Head Coach, NSWIS

Jaime Swavley, Sailing Coach, Australian Sailing

Michelle Tickner, Head Coach and Founder, Team 360 Performance

Christine Voge, Assistant Coach, Sunshine Coast Lightning Netball Club

Taryn Woods, Associate, Communication and Stakeholder Engagement, Water Polo Australia

 

Related Articles

31st January 2022 - AIS talent program opens for women coaches and sport executives

20th January 2022 - 22 women selected to participate in this year’s AIS Accelerate program

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


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

SimplySwim

    SimplySwim is a school management solution that helps swimming school owners and managers optimize operations by automating functions such as managing class schedules, billing and…

read more

Aquatics / Education / Recreation / Safety / Technology

 
 

METRA Australia

With industry leading solutions in design and durability you can improve your facilities with our access control operations, payment systems and flexible personal locker storage solutions. Your…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Fitness / Recreation / Security

 
 

DAE Global

DAE Global is one of the world’s leading international creative and production practitioners, creating award-winning sport, culture and entertainment experiences for over 30 years.  It was…

read more

Culture / Entertainment / Events / Venues

 
 

BioLab Australia Pty Ltd

BioGuard is Australia and New Zealand’s most trusted supplier of premium, innovative and affordable commercial water treatment systems and chemicals. BioGuard offers a comprehensive range of…

read more

Aquatics / Technology / Waterparks

 
 

SENtag

Developed in Europe, this innovative system offers a safety management solution for swimming pools that checks individual swimmers via their wristband - monitoring their depth and time. Sensors…

read more

Aquatics / Hospitality / Safety / Technology / Waterparks

 
 

IEDM

iEDM integrate Design, Engineering and Delivery Management services to convert existing spaces into exciting new entertainment venues. Our team consists of highly qualified professionals with diverse…

read more

Consultants / Design

 
 

GymMaster

Contact: Australia: (+61) 1800 849 001 New Zealand: (+64) 3 668 5727 International: (+1) 415 915 0375

read more

Fitness / Recreation / Technology

 
 

TicketSearch Pty Ltd

TicketSearch is focused on providing businesses, organisations, and venues with affordable, efficient, and powerful self-managed ticketing solutions. The organisation has offices in Australia, New…

read more

Attractions / Entertainment / Technology / Ticketing / Venues

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business