Pendergast and Falk stepping up to strengthen Australian sport workforce
Published Tue 02 May 2023
Australian Paralympic skier Victoria Pendergast and PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic sighted guide Lara Falk 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).
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 Championship representative 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 Paralympic athlete I feel like there is a huge variety of skills learnt such as self determination, perseverance and the ability to problem solve. 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.”
Pendergast says the program provides a unique opportunity to network with like-minded female athletes.
”I'm most looking forward to meeting some other amazing female Paralympians and Olympians who are also looking to further their strengths outside of sport,” she said.
“It's a unique opportunity to create a strong network of women in leadership who are looking to celebrate and strengthen each others’ achievements. I'm hoping to use this support network and realise skills in the program to further my professional career both outside and within sport."
Australian Sports Commission (ASC) CEO Kieren Perkins 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," Perkins said.
“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.”
Pendergast says opportunities like the AIS Accelerate Program assist female athletes in the challenging transition following competition retirement.
“It is such a huge lifestyle change from being an elite athlete to living a life outside of sport, we can tend to forget how valuable the skills we learnt as Athletes are in a professional setting.
“These type of programs are crucial in assisting female athletes when transitioning to life after sport,” she said.
The program 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.
2023 AIS Accelerate Program participants: Samantha Hamilton (Baseball), Nicole Fagan (Athletics), Kyla Bremner (Combat), Sarah Pound (Rowing), Kelly Lean (Volleyball), Natalie von Bertouch (Netball), Annabel Parolo (Tennis), Kaity Fassina (Weightlifting), Emma Bowker (Triathlon), Amelia Catt (Sailing), Victoria Pendergast (Para Snow), Melissa Breen (Athletics), Kareena Clark (Swimming) Lara Falk (Alpine skiing).
