Australian sport is making significant gains in high performance coaching, with the number of women in national head coach roles more than doubling in the past four years, according to a new Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) report.The Women in High Performance Coaching (WiHPC) report reveals women’s representation in national head coaching roles in funded sports has exceeded 25% for the first time.
Established in 2021, the WiHPC initiative was created to strengthen coaching pathways, increase visibility of women coaches and address systemic barriers that have historically limited progress into senior coaching roles.
The report released today highlights the critical factors influencing women’s participation in high performance coaching, identifies the pressure points where women are leaving the coaching pathway, outlines strategies for sustainable change and showcases successful AIS and Australian sport initiatives helping build the next generation of elite coaches. Australian Sports Commission CEO Kieren Perkins welcomed the report and acknowledged the complex challenges that remain.
“Having more women in high performance coaching strengthens Australian sport and helps ensure our athletes are supported by the best possible coaching talent,” Perkins said. “The fact women’s representation in national head coaching roles has more than doubled since 2021 shows what can be achieved through deliberate, long-term action.
“While progress is encouraging, there is more work to do. The report highlights four key areas that drive change, in culture, supportive systems, coach development and visibility, and these will continue to guide our efforts across the sporting system.”
AIS coaching initiatives have provided development opportunities for women coaches across Australia, from senior leadership to those entering the coaching talent pathway, supported by a suite of evidence-based resources and frameworks designed to help sports recruit, retain and progress women coaches.
The report also outlines the next phase of work, including expanding partnerships with sports and the National Institute Network, strengthening women coach development programs and implementing a national roadmap for action; strengthened by data capturing women coaching participation across the high performance sector beyond head coaching roles.
Coaches like Bec Rippon (Water Polo), Myriam Fox (Canoe Slalom), Louise Sauvage (Para Athletics), Leanne Choo (Badminton) and Stacey Marinkovich (Netball) have been instrumental in championing the WiHPC initiatives since its inception and sharing their experiences with other coaches throughout AIS coaching programs.
AIS Director Matti Clements said the findings demonstrate the value of a strategic approach across the Australian sporting system.
“Great coaches are essential to Australian sporting success and lifting women’s representation and experience is essential to a world-class high performance system,” Clements said.
“Women regularly make up more than half of Australia’s Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games teams, yet that has not traditionally been reflected in the coaching space,
“The Women in High Performance Coaching project has helped identify where barriers exist and importantly, what works to address them.
“The progress we’re seeing doesn’t happen without an incredible amount of work and collaboration across sports and the National Institute Network, and this positive momentum provides a strong foundation for continued growth as we build towards Brisbane 2032 and beyond.”
Ongoing collaboration with sports and institutes is a key pillar for ongoing success. Sport initiatives like Swimming Australia’s W32, Australian Athletics WiHPC program and Diving Australia’s Diving Gals Gang are making an impact in building talent pathways across their sports, while the ASPIRE Coach Program Pilot, which targeted early career women coaches, was recently extended in collaboration with the Victorian Institute of Sport.
Water Polo head coach Bec Rippon, who guided the Stingers to an historic silver medal at the Paris Olympics, said the program helped her develop both as a coach and as a person.
“Growing opportunities for women in high-performance coaching is extremely important,” Rippon said.
“The AIS Women in High Performance Coaching program helped me understand who I am, what my characteristics and strengths are, what my defaults and go to behaviours look like, and how to use them well. It’s also helped me identify the areas I need to develop and given me the support to grow in those spaces.”
“We know there’s a lot of amazing female coaches out there, providing opportunities and development to get them where they need to be is great for Australian sport.”
The full report can be found here with additional information and resources available here.
