New coaching apprenticeships to fast-track next generation 

Australian sport has taken an enormous step in its bid to become a world-leader in coach development ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) today naming 31 coaches as  part of a flagship national apprenticeship program. 

Among the 31 developing coaches, three Snow Australia coaches Ethan Topalovic, Jackson Holtham (NSWIS) and Nicole Parks (NSWIS) will benefit from paid two-year coaching apprenticeships as part of the inaugural National  Generation 2032 Coach Program. 

The National Generation 2032 Coach Program is a  joint initiative between the AIS, National Institute Network (NIN) partners, and National Sporting Organisations (NSOs).

Snow Australia Performance Pathway & Program Manager, Ben Wordsworth, is pleased for the opportunities the new program will provide for the next generation of coaches. 

“The National Generation 2032 Coach Program will add invaluable skills to the coaches selected with all three coaches Jackson Holtham, Nicole Parks and Ethan Topalovic to be embedded in the Snowboard Cross & Mogul programs for the next two years.

“The benefit of the program will be to compliment the on snow coaching with targeted education and up-skill initiatives that will drive high performance success from our next generation coaches.

“The coaches will be employed full time as system coaches and work alongside as well as be mentored by the National Team coaches from their respective disciplines. This is an area where we have not been able to target in the past until the NG32 program was available for winter sport coaches,” he said. 

AIS Acting Director Matti Clements said: “Quality coaching is the foundation for sport at all levels, so it’s wonderful  to see the Australian high performance sport system combining forces to develop the next generation of coaches  who will guide Australian athletes on the world stage for many years to come. 

“The aim is that coaches involved in this apprenticeship program will transition to become Australia’s coaching  leaders of the future, and we’d hope to see many of them coaching in Brisbane 2032 and beyond.” 

Australian Sports Commission CEO Kieren Perkins said the program is focused on enhancing the depth and  diversity within Australia’s high performance coaching ranks. 

“The future success of Australian athletes and sport relies heavily on identifying, developing and retaining our best  coaching talent so we can build sustainable success,” Perkins said. 

“We want Australia to be a world leader in coach  development and this is a big step in that direction. 

“The coaches in this inaugural program are immersed in high performance sporting environments to fast-track their  progress. They’ll have guidance from a senior mentor coach, plus they’ll receive formal professional development  and education through the AIS and participating NIN partners. It’s a national approach. 

“This program also aims to help increase coach diversity across multiple sports. The under-representation of women  in high performance coaching roles is common within international high performance sport, so it’s significant that 20  of the 31 places on this program are held by women coaches. Five part-time places on the program are reserved for  women coaches enabling them to work flexibly while continuing their professional development.” 

The AIS has embedded Coach Development staff within the NIN to oversee the program and facilitate the learning  journeys of individual coaches and the group as a collective. The AIS co-funds coach salaries, in collaboration with  NIN partners and NSOs, and also funds the professional development of the coaches, including six Learning Labs  across the two years.  

AIS Learning Labs focus on contemporary ways of delivering coaching to future generations of athletes through  enhanced use of innovation and technology, advanced interpersonal and leadership skills, and an increased  understanding of athlete development.