Sporting stars and specialists step up to strengthen Australian sport workforce

02 May 2023

Australia’s only woman Olympic wrestler Kyla Bremner and the nation’s fastest-ever 100 metre sprinter Melissa Breen are among 29 women ready to excel in the sport workforce after being appointed into key professional development programs with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).

A para skier racing down a slope. — Paralympian Victoria Prendergast is excited to be able to develop her skills through the AIS Accelerate program and use them to champion her team. Photo: Supplied

Fourteen alumni athletes have been accepted into the 2023 AIS Accelerate Program, an intensive three-month initiative aimed at helping women pursue key roles in sports administration such as board members, event managers and high performance coaches.

Now in its third year, the program has had an immediate impact with 45 per cent of the 2022 cohort securing new roles on completion of the program.

Funded through the Australian Government’s Office for Women, Federal Minister for Sport Anika Wells congratulated the successful recipients.

“This is a fantastic cohort of women who have together made 59 international appearances across Olympic, Paralympic, World Championships, World Cups, Commonwealth Games and Grand Slam events.

“The insights and ideas these athletes can offer to the Australian workforce is unparalleled and will help us strengthen the diversity of our leaders in sport.”

Two-time Paralympic and World Champion Alpine skier Victoria Pendergast is thrilled to join the 2023 cohort and has her heart set on making a career as a senior sports administrator.

“It's a huge honour to be part of the program knowing the high quality of alumni that have paved the way before me.

“As a Paralympian, there is an edge I can bring into a professional setting and I’m excited to develop these strengths and use them to champion my team.”

Former Australian Diamonds Captain Natalie von Bertouch is looking to pursue a leadership role in high performance sport after working as a dietician for the past decade.

“This opportunity is so timely, and I am very excited to undertake professional development and gain a greater understanding of the sporting landscape.”

A further 15 women have also been selected into the 2023 AIS Talent Program, a six-month bespoke program aimed at advancing the careers of women who work in sport and specialise in science, technology, engineering, maths or medicine disciplines.

Australian Sports Commission (ASC) CEO Kieren Perkins OAM said he was thrilled to welcome such a strong group of women following a tough selection process.

“The high level of demand and the quality of applicants speaks to the high regard these programs are held.

“Increasing female involvement at all levels of sport is a key priority for the ASC and through a range of programs, we are seeing an increase in women working in a variety of new roles right across the sector.

“I look forward to seeing this cohort reach their full potential and continue to make a big impact across Australian sport.”

Queensland Ballet Director of Health and Community Zara Gomes said she’s looking forward to working alongside 14 other sports specialists and merging the worlds of performing arts, health and sport.

“I am really interested in exchanging knowledge and sharing perspectives between the world of elite ballet and high performance sport. There are many similarities between the training, goals and pressures on dancers as ‘athletic artists’ and high performance athletes. I’m looking forward to exploring how we can assist each other to lead in our fields with innovative approaches.”

Both programs will see participants come together for in-person workshops at the AIS while undertaking tailored online training focused on developing their leadership capabilities and strengthening their personal brand.

The programs are supported by funding from the Australian Government’s Office for Women, in conjunction with the AIS and the Australian Sports Commission. The $3.4 million in funding over four years also supports the long-running Women Leaders in Sport Program.