AIS’ World-leading Recommendations to Support Mum Athletes

The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), in collaboration with Central Queensland University (CQ University) and the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS), has released the AIS Best Practice Recommendations to support elite athletes from preconception to parenthood.

This initiative aims to address the historical challenge of female athletes prematurely retiring due to insufficient support for family planning and parental responsibilities.

Highlighting the broader societal and performance benefits, Minister for Sport, Hon. Anika Wells MP, said:“The more mums and aspiring mums we see thriving in sport, the better.”

“Athlete mums are among our best athletes, just look at marathon mum Jess Stenson or world record holder Vanessa Low, both of whom actually achieved greatness as parents.

“There shouldn’t have to be a choice between motherhood and athletic success and in fact, the qualities developed through being a mum, including resilience, are ideal for elite competition,” Wells said.

Further emphasising the retention aspect, AIS Female Performance Health Initiative project lead, Dr. Rachel Harris, added: “No athlete should have to choose between a career in sport and being a parent.”

The recommendations showcase’s Australia’s High Performance 2032+ Sport Strategy: Win Well, a framework where 62 sports and organisations have pledged to prioritise athlete wellbeing.

The core objective is to retain experienced female athletes, who often demonstrate exceptional performance post-childbirth, thereby enhancing Australia’s competitive standing on the global stage.

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