Australia’s most successful Winter Olympic campaign was built not only on our star athletes, but on the coaches supporting them every step of the way at Milano Cortina.
A record six medals and top-15 finishes for more than half the team reflected a coaching system that played an integral role in preparing athletes for those results.
In the lead-up to the Games, Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) coach development programs supported coaches at every stage of the high performance pathway, from emerging practitioners through to national team leaders.
That investment was evident throughout Milano Cortina, particularly in the moguls camp, where coaches Peter McNeil, Kate Blamey and Ethan Topalovic guided their athletes to standout performances including gold for Cooper Woods and Jakara Anthony, and bronze for Matt Graham.
McNeil has been part of the AIS Summit Coach Program for the past four years, working with other national head coaches to share knowledge, expertise and what it’s like to guide athletes on the world’s biggest sporting stages.
In the lead up to the Games, McNeil said of the AIS support: “Part of the development journey of all coaches comes down to having good opportunities and strong mentors to help show you the path.”
Blamey has been supported through the AIS Women in High Performance Coaching Project, established to address the underrepresentation of women in senior coaching roles, while Topalovic is a graduate of AIS Gen32 which provides emerging or early-career coaches with a two-year paid internship in the nation’s top sporting programs.
Gen32 alumni were also represented in aerial skiing, with Australia’s aerials coach Renee McElduff guiding her team through challenging conditions including snowstorms and event delays to help Danielle Scott secure a silver medal.
Supported by AIS development programs and mentorship, McElduff strengthened her coaching approach in the lead-up to the Games.
“I think good coaches make an athlete. Talent can only get an athlete so far and I think it’s the relationship between an athlete and a coach that really makes the difference,” McElduff said.
That impact was reflected across the team, with Australian Team Chef de Mission Alisa Camplin praising the coaches who guided and supported the team in Milano Cortina.
“The whole coaching staff, physios, strength and conditioning… the way they operate is so elite,” Camplin said to the Australian media.
"Their highest values are good character, good ethics, and hard work. They've just built a culture of strength and support around one another.”
Across the slopes, other AIS-supported coaches were also part of the Olympic team including Enhance Coach Program participant Ollie Midgley and Gen32 coach Jackson Holtham working with the Australian snowboard team.
Together, these coaches and the system behind them highlight the importance of sustained investment in coaching capability to help athletes perform when it matters most.
