The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) has announced the 32 women selected for its Talent Program aimed at addressing the under-representation of women in coaching and executive roles in high performance sport.

The Talent Program, delivered with support of funding from the Australian Government’s Office for Women, and Sport Australia, will bring in 16 women coaches and 16 women executives for the intensive Women Leaders in Sport (WLIS) professional development programs.

Australian Minister for Sport, Richard Colbeck, announced the selected participants, saying the program is a catalyst for identified women leaders to further progress their career potential in sport.

“We want the participants in this program to grow their leadership presence as individuals, but also to be influential in shifting mind-sets and behaviours in sport and broader community,” Colbeck said.

“The Australian Government has been strong and consistent in our approach to increasing opportunities for women and girls at all levels of sport, from participation in community sport through to the leaders running our organisations.

“We’ve made no secret of our aspiration to have a greater proportion of women in leadership roles in Australian sport and it’s encouraging to see the wide range of sports and organisations engaging with this AIS Talent program.

“The next decade in particular, leading up to the 2032 Brisbane Games, will be one of the most exciting chapters in Australian sporting history.

“It’s crucial that we have the right talent, diversity and balance within the leadership ranks of our sporting system, whether it be in the boardroom or in the sporting arena,” he said.

Chosen for the 2022 AIS Female Sport Executive Talent Program, Skate Australia national high performance manager, Debbie Savage, said: “I’m thrilled to be selected for the AIS Executive Talent Program.”

“It’s an exciting opportunity to be afforded time to develop my own professional capabilities as an executive leader in Skateboarding, whilst strengthening my network with other amazing women in the high performance sport system who are sharing a similar journey,” Savage said.

Skate Australia high performance manager – Debbie Savage

The full list of participants for the program, which includes 16 executives and 16 coaches, respectively, is as below.

2022 AIS Female Sport Executive Talent Program:

• Megan Carr, Female Engagement Manager VIC, Golf Australia
• Christine Harman, General Counsel and Company Secretary, Cricket Australia
• Rana Hussain, Inclusion and Diversity Manager, Cricket Australia
• Dee Jennings, Performance and Planning Manager, Hockey Australia
• Cassie Lindsey, Inclusion and Diversity Manager, Geelong Football Club
• Jane Louise Woodlands-Thompson, Director/ Consultant, Activebods
• Sarah Luttrell, Senior Legal Counsel, Tennis Australia
• Jane McGough, General Manager – Consumer, Community and Marketing, Gold Coast SUNS Football Club
• Tracey Menzies-Stegbauer, Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement Manager, Gymnastics Australia
• Carolyn Morrison, Performance Services Program Manager, Western Australian Institute of Sport
• Jenni Thom, HR and Finance Manager, Shooting Australia
• Jodie Newton, Acting Chief Executive Officer, South Australian Cricket Association
• Melanie Purkiss, Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement Manager, Athletics Australia
• Rachel Ratini, General Manager – Sport Operations, Equestrian Australia
• Debbie Savage, National High Performance Manager, Skate Australia
• Rebekah Webster, General Manager- Vixens, Performance & Pathways, Netball Victoria & the Melbourne Vixens

2022 AIS Female High Performance Coach Talent Program:

• Ash Ankudinoff, Coach, SASI
• Alison Bombardier, Manager and Assistant Coach Para Alpine Ski Team, Snow Australia
• Belinda Cox Gymnastics, Manager – Pathways and Performance, NSW Trampoline
• Taís de Morais Rochel, Fencing Coach/ Personal Trainer, Australian Fencing Federation
• Rebecca Dicello, Head Endurance Cycling Coach, NSWIS
• Lucy Glanville, 2022 Youth/Junior World Championships Head Coach, Australian Biathlon Association
• Belinda Goss, Cycling Coach, TIS
• Harriet May Jones, Head Diving Coach, VIS
• Shelley Nitschke, Assistant Coach – Australian Women’s Team, Cricket Australia
• Kerry O’Sullivan, AFLW Development Coach, West Coast Eagles Football Club
• Catherine Paice, Strength and Conditioning Coach, Football Queensland/QAS
• Rebecca Rippon, Women’s Water Polo Head Coach, NSWIS
• Jaime Swavley, Sailing Coach, Australian Sailing
• Michelle Tickner, Head Coach and Founder, Team 360 Performance
• Christine Voge, Assistant Coach, Sunshine Coast Lightning Netball Club
• Taryn Woods, Associate, Communication and Stakeholder Engagement, Water Polo Australia