Rowie Webster (water polo), Rebecca Stafford (diving), Elissa Kent (netball) and Collis Birmingham (athletics) were among the first cohort to emerge from the program which is aimed at fostering opportunities for potential Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games coaches.
Webster proudly wore the green and gold at three Olympic Games as part of the Australian Women’s Water Polo Team before making the switch to coaching through the support of the AIS Gen32 Program, Water Polo Australia, and Victorian Institute of Sport.
“The Gen32 program challenged me to evolve as a leader, refining my ability to set clear goals and foster growth in others,” Webster said.
“It empowered me to build a culture of excellence, which has become the cornerstone of my coaching philosophy and career trajectory.”
Run in collaboration between the AIS, national sporting organisations (NSOs), and state sport institutes and academies, Gen32 provides early-career coaches with a two-year paid internship within national sporting programs.
Coaches representing 20 different sports gathered at the AIS in Canberra on Monday for their official graduation from the program, and Australian Sports Commission CEO Kieren Perkins OAM says the system will be stronger for their experience.
“In order to have world best athletes who achieve incredible results you need exceptional and world class coaches,” Perkins said.
“The Gen32 Coaches are on track to be just that. Over the past two years we have seen the former athletes and early career coaches blossom through experience in national sporting programs, with many in Paris to directly support their Olympians and Paralympians.
“Increasing the depth and diversity of our coaching ranks is key to Australian sport’s united vision to win well and create sustainable success in the lead up to Brisbane 2032 and beyond.”
Cover image: The graduating cohort of the National Generation 2032 (Gen32) Coach Program (credit sportaus.gov.au)
