The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) has introduced the Experiential Learning Program (ELP) to address a common challenge faced by emerging women coaches in the sports industry. Many aspiring coaches, like Emma Lynch, the Assistant Diving Coach at the NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS), have encountered the dilemma of needing experience to progress in their coaching careers, yet finding it challenging to gain such experience. The AIS ELP aims to bridge this gap by offering a unique opportunity for 11 up-and-coming women coaches to gain valuable international competition experience by participating in major upcoming events.
The program is a response to the recognition that the lack of opportunity and support to gain experience and build reputational capital at the international level is a significant barrier for women coaches. The rising cost of international travel has further compounded this challenge. To address these issues, the AIS ELP collaborates with National Sporting Organisations (NSOs) to provide financial assistance for travel expenses to selected coaches. This initiative aligns with the broader efforts of the Australian Government and Australian Sporting Commission, who have increased support for sports through the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Preparation Fund.
Following a rigorous selection process, the AIS ELP has identified 11 promising women coaches from various NSOs, each with the potential to make a significant contribution to their respective sports’ campaigns at events such as the Olympic, Paralympic, or Commonwealth Games. These coaches will each receive a grant of $6,000 to offset their travel costs, allowing them to participate in international events that will further their coaching expertise.
Emma Lynch’s journey exemplifies the impact of the AIS ELP. Having started as a club diving coach in Western Australia, Lynch’s dedication and mentors’ guidance led her to become an Assistant Coach at NSWIS. With the support of the AIS ELP grant, she joined the Diving Australia coaching team for the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Japan. Lynch’s experience at the international event not only enhanced her coaching skills but also provided her with newfound clarity and confidence in her role. This exposure underscored the importance of real-life development opportunities for emerging coaches.
The AIS ELP’s positive outcomes have been recognized by participating NSOs, and there is optimism that the program’s scope will expand to encompass coaches of all genders in the future. The success of these initiatives reflects a commitment to nurturing the next generation of elite coaches in Australia, ensuring that they are well-equipped to contribute to the development and success of their respective sports on the international stage.
The program has supported coaches across various sports, including Diving, Swimming, Shooting, Athletics, Water Polo, Bowls, Gymnastics, Boccia, Golf, and Hockey. By offering these coaches exposure to high-level international events, the AIS ELP is playing a crucial role in accelerating the growth and development of Australia’s coaching talent. As the program continues to evolve, it holds the promise of further enriching the nation’s sporting landscape by fostering expertise and leadership among coaches of diverse backgrounds and disciplines.
2023 ELP recipients
- Emma Lynch, Diving Australia – 2023 World Aquatics Championships (Fukuoka, Japan)
- Casey Atkins, Swimming Australia – 2023 Paralympic Swimming World Championships (Manchester, UK)
- Renae Birgan, Shooting Australia – 2023 World Junior Championships (Changwon, Korea)
- Jody Erbacher, Athletics Australia – 2023 World Athletics Championships (Budapest, Hungary)
- Joanne Clark, Water Polo Australia – 2023 World Aquatics Women’s U20 Championships (Coimbra, Portugal)
- Claire Turley, Bowls Australia – 2023 World Bowls Championships (Gold Coast, Australia)
- Jackie Caldwell, Gymnastics Australia – FIG Artistic World Championships (Antwerp, Belgium)
- Skye Benson, Gymnastics Australia – FIG Artistic World Championships (Antwerp, Belgium)
- Bruna Accurso, Boccia Australia – 2023 World Boccia Cup (Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal)
- Asha Hargreaves, Golf Australia – 2023 World Amateur Team Championships (Abu Dhabi, UAE)
- Kate Jenner, Hockey Australia – 2023 Women’s FIH Junior World Cup (Santiago, Chile)
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Photo Courtesy Australian Sports Commission
Courtesy Australian Sports Commission