The VIS, in partnership with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), delivers the ASPIRE Coach Program, a national initiative designed to support early-career women coaches to enter and build careers in high performance (HP) coaching.
Grounded in research from the Women in High Performance Coaching (WiHPC) Project, ASPIRE responds to a structural problem the research makes clear: talented women coaches face significant barriers entering the HP system, including limited access to coaching pathways, unclear role expectations, and restricted opportunities for professional development. These barriers cause women to leave the HP environment before they reach their potential.
The three-day program will bring together a cohort of up to 30 women coaches for an immersive learning experience co-designed and co-facilitated by women who have built careers at the highest levels of the sport.
Fast Facts
Cohort: Up to 30 women coaches
Dates: 2–4 October 2026
Location: Victorian Institute of Sport, Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park, Melbourne
Cost to participants: Free — travel to Melbourne is at the participant’s own expense
Inclusions: ASPIRE program, accommodation, three-day learning experience, and follow-up network activities
Post-program: Virtual small-group sessions over six to 12 months
Applications open: 8:00am AEST 6 July 2026
Applications close: 9:00pm AEST 2 August 2026
“The VIS supported my transition from athlete to coach and helped me grow into the leader I am today. Over seven years leading the women’s hockey program, I’ve cultivated a high performance environment that develops elite athletes while empowering women to become strong leaders in their communities.”
Stacia Strain, VIS Head Coach – Women’s Hockey
- Build high performance knowledge, equipping participants to navigate the HP coaching landscape with clarity and confidence.
- Develop coaches as leaders, building the capability, communication skills and positioning to progress into HP roles.
- Connect coaches to a national network, creating relationships with peers, women HP coaches and high performance leaders.
Congratulations to the coaches selected into the 2026 Aspire Coach Program:
- Abbie Genders – Swimming
- April Whiston – Basketball
- Bridget Lin – Swimming
- Caitlin Murphy – Diving
- Caitlyn Lake – Cycling
- Chantel Glogolja – Gymnastics
- Ellen Juhasz – Sailing
- Esther Lavelle – Lacrosse
- Hannah Ryan – Football (soccer) / Futsal
- Izabel Caligiore – Swimming
- Jiali Shu – Badminton
- Karen Atkins – Athletics
- Kathleen Knott – Netball
- Katie Keighrey – Netball
- Leanne Del Toso – Wheelchair Basketball
- Milagros Arrotea – Hockey
- Monique Lenehan-Moustafa – Netball
- Nikki Holmes – Basketball
- Rebecca Thompson – Hockey
- Tegan Philip – Netball
Get in touch
Have a question?
Submit an enquiry and a member of the VIS Aspire Team will get back to you.
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