AIS helps female athletes boost their sporting careers post-retirement

21 July 2023

Natalie von Bertouch, Kelly Lean and Samantha Hamilton are among fourteen retired female athletes fast-tracking their careers in sport through the 2023 AIS Accelerate Program.

After ten years out of the game, former Australian Diamonds Vice-Captain Natalie von Bertouch found herself again turning to sport after feeling uninspired in her longstanding career as a Dietician.

“I was a Dietician throughout my playing career and post-retirement, but after having my last son, I wasn’t sure where I wanted to go or what I wanted to do.”

Recently retired Australian Volleyball Captain Kelly Lean also knew something was missing in her life since retiring but didn’t quite know what it was.

“Facing the next steps after I retired in 2022 was challenging, especially finding what my passions and values were away from a volleyball court.”

“I was happy in my international sales role after retirement, but I knew it wasn’t giving me the ‘oomph’ I needed. I thought if I was keeping my head above water, I was fine,” Lean said.

Samantha Hamilton is another former athlete who felt lost following a long and successful career as an inaugural member of Australia’s female baseball team.

“I found it quite challenging when I retired as an athlete because I didn’t really know where my path was or where I was headed.”

The AIS Accelerate Program, run with support by the Office for Women, assists retired women athletes like Natalie, Kelly and Samantha to re-enter sport in a professional capacity by providing learning, career and personal development opportunities.

“The Accelerate Program came through at exactly the right time for me.” von Bertouch said.

“I started as an Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement Officer in Netball and now I’ve progressed through a couple of jobs, recently taking on Head of Operations and Player Relations at the Australian Basketball Players Association. I’m loving it.” she added.

The 2023 program recently concluded with a three-day workshop at the AIS Campus in Canberra and Kelly Lean said it has helped her refine her career goals.

“Since starting the program I have more clarity on what I want and need in my career - which is to be in a team orientated workplace.”

“Understanding myself motivated me and gave me the confidence to go after the right job and yesterday I accepted a job with the Australian Sports Commission,” Lean said.

Samantha Hamilton likewise said the Accelerate Program gave her important tools to assist in her recent appointment as Head of the Baseball Victoria Women’s High-Performance Unit.

“I have always been really nervous about public speaking but Accelerate gave me the confidence to approach a CEO and Board with a new Women’s high-performance strategy, which led to my new role.”

“I am so glad I took part this year. I love the Accelerate Program.”

Applications for the 2024 program intake will open later this year. To learn more about the AIS Athlete Accelerate Program, or receive updates regarding expressions of interests, please contact accelerateprogram@ausport.gov.au.

2023 Accelerate Program participants gather at the AIS campus in Canberra for a three-day workshop.