Herstory Made: New initiative to boost women in high performance coaching

SWIMMING AUSTRALIA’S recently launched W32 Project has had immediate success with Mel Klamt named among three swimming coaches selected by the Australian Institute of Sport for their new ASPIRE coaching Program.

The W32 project is a six-month national program designed to empower emerging female coaches with the leadership, confidence, networks and technical skills required to thrive in performance sport.

This is aligned with the ASPIRE program which also aims to increase the number of women in coaching by equipping early career coaches with the skills and backing to reach the top and fellow swimming coaches Kelly Stubbins and Rebecca Wheatley have also been selected.

The AIS received 95 video entries for the program, showcasing inspiring philosophies grounded in care- because when athletes feel seen, safe and supported, they thrive.

The selected 38 coaches across 26 sports will spend three days living and learning at the AIS this October, followed by 6 months of online support, mentoring and professional development.

Many already coach at state or national age-levels. Others are club owners, administrators, teachers or physios who coach part-time or voluntarily. What they all share: deep experience, untapped potential – and a desire to help athletes succeed.

Data from the Women in High Performance Coaching Project reveals female coaches face disproportionate roadblocks early in their careers due to unclear pathways, limited networking opportunities, and a lack of professional development options.

The result?

Talented individuals quietly leave the Australian sport system before they have had a real shot. This is not just a loss for them- it is a loss for athletes, teams and Australian sport as a whole.

Swimming Australia today congratulates:

Kelly Stubbins: The recently appointed Rackley Swimming coach has nine years of coaching and industry experience. Stubbins has coached athletes from grassroots to national medallists and including a Youth Commonwealth Games’ medallist.

Rebecca Wheatley: Currently the Head Coach at Cranbrook School, in NSW, and recently returned from Berlin, Germany, where she was the co-head coach of the Australian Uni Sport Swim Team, Wheatley has served as a team coach for multiple Australian Junior teams, including the 2022 and 2024 Junior Pan Pacs.

Mel Klamt: Klamt, a current W32 participant, is the Performance Squad Co-Coach at MLC Aquatic in Victoria. Klamt has coached more than a dozen national medallists and with more than 15 years of experience coaching, Klamt also shares her knowledge and expertise as a Coach Development Facilitator.

ASPIRE Coach Program Participant List:

• Stephanie Acraman – Volleyball
• Iliseva Batibasaga – Rugby 7’s, Rugby 15s
• Kendall Brodie – Rowing
• Jessica Cashman – Boxing
• Mackenzie Davis – Football (Soccer)
• Myra Donkin – Basketball
• Amelia (Millie) Evans – Park & Pipe, Aerial Skiing, Mogul Skiing
• Jaime Garth (Swavley) – Sailing
• Luisa Gauci – Baseball
• Fiona Geappen – Netball
• Ruth Hock – Taekwondo
• Emma Horan – Sport Climbing
• Samantha Janssen – Triathlon
• Sharon Jarvis – Para-Equestrian
• Rebecca Keller – Lacrosse
• Melissa (Mel) Klamt – Swimming (Able and Para)
• Kelly Lean – Volleyball
• Erica Li – Artistic Swimming
• Madeline Loucas – Diving
• Kara McLoughlin – Gymnastics
• Rowena Meredith – Rowing
• Ruth Moniz Da Silva – Gymnastics
• Brooke Mugridge – Flag Football, Rugby League
• Demi O’Brien – Canoeing/Paddlesports, Para-canoe
• Manel Offord – Gymnastics
• Jules Ore – Basketball, Wheelchair Basketball
• Anel Radford – Triathlon
• Annalea Reid – Badminton
• Lauren Robinson – Basketball, Wheelchair Basketball
• Caitlin Ryan – Lacrosse
• Abigail Sangalang – Taekwondo
• Anna Smee – Athletics
• Sonia Stamenkovic – Sitting Volleyball
• Kelly Stubbins – Swimming
• Katrina Werry – Rowing
• Rebecca Wheatley – Swimming
• Jessica Whitfort – Netball
• Jessica Wright – Powerlifting

Pictured from left to right: Bec Wheatley, Mel Klamt, Kelly Stubbins