Chloe Stevens Thriving in Women's High Performance Coaching Program

If you think you are busy, there is every chance Chloe Stevens has you covered. The mother of two and coach of many is one of 12 women currently undertaking Athletics Australia’s Women in High Performance Coaching program, tapping into networks and resources to elevate her 'second' family.

Hands full with two-year-old Charlie and five-month old Harry, Stevens’ young family gave her good reason to step away from coaching, but her Frankston-based squad gave her 50 reasons to continue. The jumps coach soon connected with the Women in High Performance Coaching program, facilitating a juggling act which Stevens manages seamlessly.

“In all honesty, the only reason I have been able to make it work is because Di [Huxley] has been so wonderful and supportive. She kept saying that she knew it wasn’t the right time but that when it was, we could make it work. Everyone just genuinely cares which is so lovely,” Stevens said.

“For me it’s about where to from here and how I can best support my athletes. I want to be totally informed because I want to have the right information for my athletes, and the network is incredible. Every day someone is congratulating someone else or celebrating success, and to have a group to bounce ideas off is really helpful.”

A key component of Athletics Australia’s High Performance strategy, the program aims to increase the capacity and capability of women in coaching to ensure gender balance in the High Performance ranks. While Stevens is one of 12 coaches currently in the program and 21 women supported since 2021, she was quick to pay homage to fellow jumps coaches Russell Stratton, Andrew Murphy, John Boas and husband Rob Stevens for their ongoing support:

“My mentors are all male coaches. I have been really lucky to have their support and I had to be honest and say that I haven’t had barriers in that sense, but listening to women who have had situations arise – it was great to create a safe space to talk about experiences, advice and feedback,” Stevens said.

Attending Athletics Australia’s workshop in Canberra last month, Stevens travelled with her two boys and Mum who was supported in a caretaker role while Stevens engaged in the program – forging newfound networks and a more wholistic approach to coaching through skills sessions and storytelling.  

“To meet like-minded people with the same goals and coming together to share ideas, I formed some really nice friendships just from those few days away. We do all have the same issues, it’s not male or female – it’s being a coach,” Stevens said.

Currently on maternity leave from duties as Head of Sport for 2000 students at Frankston High, Stevens’ busy schedule involves coordinating two to three training sessions every day for her squad of 50 athletes, spearheaded by reigning Australian triple jump champion Aiden Hinson and 2022 World Under 20 representative Blake Shaw.

“Especially after the pandemic, a lot of kids transition from school to studying or working full time and we often lose them for a year or two. Over the last  12 months, the amount that have come back has been really rewarding. To have them ring and say they miss training and feeling connected to the group, it has really helped everyone stay in the sport moving forward,” Stevens said.

Describing her squad as “well-balanced and caring”, the group travel to competitions and camps together, along with regular team dinners as their coach continues to give back to the sport after a unique start to her coaching career:

“I was a long jumper and injured my back quite badly. My primary school PE teacher moved schools and they needed an athletics coach, so when I was in Year 10 I started coaching there and that’s how I got back into it,” Stevens said.

“I remember leaving high school thinking I would never be a high school teacher, why would I do that to yourself? But I ended up loving it and that changed my study path, and I guess the rest is history.”

Coaches within Athletics Australia’s Women in High Performance programs have been selected for 11 team coach roles in pathway at benchmark events from 2022-23, with seven athletes selected in Australian Teams and tours to date in 2023.

By Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted: 21/6/2023