Australian sport sees doubling of women in national head coaching roles

A new report from the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) shows that the number of women in national head coach positions has more than doubled over the last four years. For the first time since the Women in High Performance Coaching initiative was established in 2021, female representation across funded national sporting organisations has exceeded 25%.

The initiative aims to dismantle systemic barriers and address the imbalance in the high-performance sector, where women already make up more than half of Australia’s Olympic, Paralympic, and Commonwealth Games squads. Australian Sports Commission CEO Kieren Perkins noted that while the progress is encouraging, continued work is required in areas such as culture, supportive systems, coach development, and visibility.

Looking toward Brisbane 2032, the AIS plans to expand partnerships with sporting organisations and the National Institute Network. The roadmap includes implementing frameworks designed to improve professional retention and career progression for female coaches.