High Performance Coach Development

AIS HP Coach Development Strategy

The AIS High Performance (HP) Coach Development program is focused on supporting and developing Australia’s HP coaches as people, leaders and enablers of performance, in a uniquely Australian way for the specific purpose of impacting athlete experience and performance.​

Our vision is anchored to the Australian High Performance Coach Development Strategy.​

​Within the Enhancing to Los Angeles 2028 phase, we aim to meet our mission by:​

• creating, designing and delivering bespoke, impactful learning and development programs and initiatives​
• through connection, collaboration and knowledge sharing across the Australian HP system​
• seeking sustainable HP environments that attract and retain diverse coaching talent

Great coaches are not born – they are the product of a long​ and demanding journey. ​

​This journey is not a simple one and the challenges they face​ are increasing in complexity.​ ​This journey to great coaching does not happen by chance.​

It is the product of extensive hours honing their craft, being exposed to wide ranging training and competition​environments and subsequently reflecting deeply on their​ coaching practice and pursuing new ways to improve.​

​We know that great coaches are defined by their​comprehensive knowledge, their intuitive decision making,​ their planning, meticulous attention to detail, and​ exceptional communication skills.​

​They pursue continuous learning, demonstrate​ exceptional problem-solving skills, and the ability to meet​ complexity with composure and resilience.​

​Coaches refine and adapt their approaches to meet individual​ athlete needs, creating flexible strategies that ensure​ optimal performance and continuous improvement.​

​They operate with the highest standards of ethical integrity​ while caring deeply and compassionately for the people they coach and possess a commitment to excellence through holistic development.​

​They underpin all this with incredible passion for their role.​ Ultimately, they are impactful leaders of athletes, sports and the system.

Our work with Australia’s HP coaching community is driven by the Australian High Performance Coach Development Framework.​

This framework was developed from the insights and feedback gathered from our work with Australia’s coaches and provides guidance to the design, delivery and iteration of the various programs, initiatives and experiences the team leads.​

It also forms the basis of the Individual Coach Development Plan initiative designed to support Australia’s coaches with a relevant and contextual approach to their ongoing personal development.​

​To support this a High Performance (HP) Coach Capability Framework focusing on the specific skills, knowledge, behaviours and attributes that a coach needs to perform successfully in their role has been developed. The framework can be implemented across Professional development, Career planning, Coach Recruitment and Coach Performance Reviews.

Australian Coach Development Framework

We believe that Coach Development is a multifaceted and continuous learning process aimed at fostering the growth and evolution of coaches.​

With this in mind, we adopt a broad and holistic approach to delivering coach development, that goes beyond any one individual, one method, one program, or one experience.​

Our activities can be broadly categorised as:​

1 Programs​

Targeted and structured development experiences with defined objectives, cohorts, and delivery times.​

2 Initiatives​

Broader, long-term collaborative efforts aimed at​systemic improvements across multiple levels including HP coaches.​

3 Experiences​

Flexible, responsive offerings designed to meet specific or emerging needs.​