AIS Program Targets Gender Diversity for Coaches and Executives

Equestrian Australia is proud to announce the inclusion of an EA team member in the 2022 Australian Institue of Sport (AIS) Talent Program, which is designed to address the under-representation of women in coaching and executive roles in sport.

Out of the two AIS Women Leaders in Sport programs on offer, for coaches and executives, EA General Manager - Sport Operations, Rachel Ratini, has been selected to be a part of the 2022 AIS Female Sport Executive Talent Program. This is a highly sought after position, with only a select number of placements available each year. 

The format has changed this year, with the AIS is only taking 16 individuals into each of the two programs; Rachel being accepted is a great outcome and positive acknowledgement for our sport.

Darren Gocher, EA CEO, said, "I wanted to acknowledge and congratulate Rachel Ratini, who has been accepted into the AIS Women Leaders in Sport program. I have had a few staff members participate in the past and it is a really good, worthwhile program that she will benefit greatly from."

AIS Media Release:

Former Australian cricketer Shelley Nitschke and two-time Olympic water polo representative Bec Rippon are among 32 women from 20 sports selected for the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Talent Program, which is designed to address the under-representation of women in coaching and executive roles in high performance sport.

Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck today announced the 16 coaches and 16 executives who have been selected for the intensive Women Leaders in Sport (WLIS) professional development programs funded by the Australian Government’s Office for Women and Sport Australia.

The AIS Talent program has been designed to be a catalyst for identified women leaders to further progress their career potential in sport, this year with an emphasis on coaching and executive positions.

“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,” Minister 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.”

This is the second time the AIS Talent Program has had a high performance coach focus, with alumni including two-time Olympic gold medallist Katrina Powell, the first woman coach of the Hockeyroos in 43 years.

Like Katrina, former Australian allrounder Shelley Nitschke has also successfully transitioned from athlete to coach and is currently at the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand as the Assistant Coach of the Australian Cricket Team. “I’m honoured to have been accepted into the AIS Talent Program alongside some amazing women from across the sporting sector and I’m looking forward to connecting with them and getting stuck into the program,” Nitschke said.

“The program presents a wonderful opportunity for me to further myself both personally and professionally and I’m hoping it will help taking my coaching to a new level.” Running in conjunction to the AIS Women High Performance Coach Talent Program will be a program focused on supporting and elevating women in executive positions in sport.

Debbie Savage, the National High Performance Manager at Skate Australia, 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."

AIS Director Matti Clements said: “The calibre of participants selected for this year’s AIS Talent Program is proof of the incredible skill and experience that already exists in Australian high performance sport. “But there is no hiding from the fact that women are still under-represented in both coaching and executive ranks. I would like to thank the Australian Government and Office for Women for giving the AIS resources to help change this and look forward to seeing the AIS Talent participants help drive greater diversity in Australian sport.”

For more information about the AIS Talent Program, visit the AIS website.

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

Supplied by AIS