The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) has announced a $3.9 million funding boost for the Gen32 Coach Program, an initiative by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) aimed at increasing the number of women in high-performance coaching roles in Australia. The program, which was launched in July 2022, has 55 male and female coaches currently participating, with a focus on enhancing diversity and depth within the high-performance coaching ranks in the country.
The Gen32 Coach Program is catering to the modern coach with childcare support and flexible working arrangements available for coaches with children on top of their paid coaching apprenticeship. With the additional investment, the paid apprenticeship has been extended from two years to three for 29 female coaches to ensure they are better prepared to take the next step in their careers.
Minister for Sport, the Hon Anika Wells, recently met with members of the program and welcomed the ASC’s target of more than doubling the number of coaches by the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“The Australian Government is committed to addressing the underrepresentation of women in sport, especially in high performance coaching roles,”
“Women represented just 18 per cent of accredited coaches for the Australian team at the Tokyo Olympic Games and just 23 per cent at the Paralympics.”
“That is not good enough.”
“The Gen32 Coach Program is a tangible way to improve this ratio ahead of our home Games in Brisbane.”
Australian Diamonds head coach Stacey Marinkovich said: “The AIS Gen32 Coach Program will not only help develop coaching skills and experiences but also provide participants with invaluable connections with other coaches from other sports.”
“The talent in this Gen32 coaching group is incredible and having them join the national coaching ranks will only make Australian sport stronger.”
Gen32 Female Coaches
- Aileen Reid, Triathlon, Gold Coast
- Angie McBride Hockey, Brisbane
- Annie Eastgate, Sailing, Brisbane
- Ashlee Ankudinoff, Cycling, Adelaide
- Ashleigh Meneses, Diving, Perth
- Bernadette Wallace, Paddle, Adelaide
- Brooke Kemp, Swimming, Perth
- Casey Atkins, Swimming – Para, Sunshine Coast
- Chelsea Hedges, Surfing, Casuarina
- Elissa Kent, Netball, Melbourne
- Emilee Barton, Rugby 7s, Sydney
- Hally Chapman, Rowing, Penrith
- Jodie Stuhmcke, Water Polo, Brisbane
- Kat Smith, Football, Sydney
- Kate Jenner, Hockey, Newcastle
- Kelly Crew, Football, Brisbane
- Leah Blayney, Football, Sydney
- Leigh Godfrey, Softball, Perth
- Lillian Foster, Diving, Adelaide
- Lynsey Clarke, Bowls, Gold Coast
- Margo Wiltens, Beach Volleyball, Brisbane
- Natalya Diehm Cycling (BMX), Gold Coast
- Nicole Parks, Winter-Mogules, Jindabyne
- Rebecca Stafford, Diving, Melbourne
- Renee McElduff, Aerial Skiing, Brisbane
- Rowie Webster, Water Polo, Melbourne
- Shannon Parry, Rugby, Brisbane
- Shara Romer, Boxing, Brisbane
- Sharlene Kelly, Paddle, Sunshine Coast
The ASC’s commitment to improving the gender imbalance in high-performance coaching roles is a positive step towards creating a more diverse and inclusive sporting environment in Australia. The Gen32 Coach Program’s focus on supporting women coaches with children is also a commendable initiative, and one that will hopefully encourage more women to pursue coaching careers in sport.
Read the full article here.
Courtesy Australian Sport Commission