Graduation day for Australia’s future head coaches

The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) has celebrated the graduation of the first participants of the National Gen32 Program – an initiative aimed at providing a pathway to the Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games coaching ranks.

Run in collaboration between the AIS, national sporting organisations (NSOs), and state sport institutes and academies, Gen32 provides early-career coaches a two-year paid internship within national sporting programs.

Athletics coaches involved in the program included Collis Birmingham (distance), Jared Tallent (race walking), Jamie Green (wheelchair racing) and Danny Kevan (sprints).

Coaches representing 20 different sports gathered at the AIS in Canberra on Monday for their official graduation from the program, and Australian Sports Commission CEO Kieren Perkins OAM says the system will be stronger for their experience. 

“In order to have world best athletes who achieve incredible results you need exceptional and world class coaches,” Mr Perkins said.  

“The Gen32 Coaches are on track to be just that. Over the past two years we have seen the former athletes and early career coaches blossom through experience in national sporting programs, with many in Paris to directly support their Olympians and Paralympians.

“Increasing the depth and diversity of our coaching ranks is key to Australian sport’s united vision to win well and create sustainable success in the lead up to Brisbane 2032 and beyond.”

Rowie Webster proudly wore the green and gold at three Olympic Games as part of the Australian Women’s Water Polo Team before making the switch to coaching through the support of the AIS Gen32 Program, Water Polo Australia, and Victorian Institute of Sport.

“The Gen32 program challenged me to evolve as a leader, refining my ability to set clear goals and foster growth in others,” Webster said. 

“It empowered me to build a culture of excellence, which has become the cornerstone of my coaching philosophy and career trajectory.”

Despite officially graduating, Webster and the other 19 female coaches will be undertaking a third year of the Gen32 Program thanks to a $3.9 million funding boost provided by the Australian Government in 2023.

The funding is part of the drive to get more women into high performance coaching roles in Australian sport, and supports the work being done by the AIS Women in High Performance Sport Action Plan.

For more information about Gen32 or AIS coach development, visit: https://www.ais.gov.au/coach-development  

By the Australian Institute of Sport
Posted: 14/10/2024