Aspiring women coaches will have access to childcare support and flexible working arrangements as part of a $3.9 million push to turn around poor participation rates in elite sport.
Women made up just 18 per cent of accredited coaches at the Tokyo Olympics and only 23 per cent at the Paralympics, according to data provided by the Australian Institute of Sport. The Australian Sports Commission has promised to more than double the number of accredited women coaches by the 2032 Games in Brisbane.
The AIS, through the federal government, will on Tuesday announce an extra $3.9 million to extend the institute’s $7 million Gen32 Coach apprenticeship program launched last year with 55 men and women coaches.
The extra cash will extend the paid program from two to three years for 28 women after feedback from a Queensland pilot and last year’s intake showed that many participants needed an extra year to plan their transition from other roles into full-time coaching, an AIS spokesperson said.
Coaches from surfing, rugby, football, diving, swimming, netball, water polo and many other sports are represented in the program, including former Australian water polo captain and Olympic bronze medallist Rowie Webster, and former Australian sevens captain and Olympic gold medallist Shannon Parry.
Federal sports minister Anika Wells said female representation at the elite level in Australia was a major concern.
Former Australian sevens captain Shannon ParryCredit: Rhett Wyman
“The simple fact is that there are not enough women coaches in national teams, and it must change,” Wells said.
“The Gen32 Coach Program is a tangible way to improve this ratio ahead of our home Games in Brisbane. It is a contemporary program that doesn’t make a woman choose between children and a coaching career and I congratulate the AIS and Australian Sports Commission for their hard work to bring it to life.”
Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich said: “The talent in this Gen32 coaching group is incredible and having them join the national coaching ranks will only make Australian sport stronger.”
Marinkovich was expected to join Australian Sports Commission boss Kieren Perkins in Canberra on Tuesday to announce the cash injection.
“The AIS Gen32 Program is about creating opportunities for women in sport. It’s crucial we attract, support and retain the incredible coaching talent that exists in Australia,” Perkins said.
“I am proud that the AIS is leading the way in creating a sport system that is reflective of society and providing ways for women with children to keep progressing their coaching careers.
“I would like to thank the Australian Government for their belief in this program and also thank key stakeholders who have supported the AIS and the Gen32 coaches in bringing this program to life. It is a true sign of how united the Australian high performance sport system is in making sure the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games is a success for us all.”
The Gen32 Coach program was announced as part of the women’s leadership package in last year’s federal budget. It’s being delivered as a collaboration between the AIS, national sporting organisations and the national network of sports institutes and academies.
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