AIS program helps Olympic gold medallist accelerate career

After retiring from cycling with a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Grace Brown has teamed up with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) to explore what’s next for her in the world of sport.

Brown is joining 11 fellow retired athletes from seven sports to take part in the fifth edition of AIS Accelerate, a career development and networking program to help former female athletes move into a new role in sport.

“I was referred to the AIS Accelerate program by an old teammate, who raved about the experience and the network,” Brown said.

“I feel like retiring from sport is a very unique experience, where you almost completely wipe the slate clean at a young age and now get to write how you want your future to be. It's a privilege, but also very overwhelming.

“I think the content of AIS Accelerate is going to be super helpful for me to gain clarity and share the journey with other women who have had a similar pathway.”

Since the inaugural program in 2021, more than 80 Olympians, Paralympians, World Champions and Commonwealth Games athletes from 32 sports have been part of AIS Accelerate, including Australian Olympic Chef de Mission Anna Meares, tennis star-turned-commentator Casey Dellacqua, and Paris 2024 gold medallist Emily Petricola.

“The pedigree of the incredible women who are part of the AIS Accelerate network shows what amazing athlete talent we have in this country – talent we want to retain in sport,” Australian Sports Commission (ASC) Executive General Manager of AIS Performance Matti Clements said.

“Former athletes bring a unique set of skills and experience to coaching, administration and leadership roles and play an invaluable part in making sure Australian high performance sport remains world-leading.”

For more information about AIS Accelerate, including past and present participants, visit the ASC website here.

2025 AIS Accelerate participants

Jo Bridgen-Jones (kayak)

Grace Brown (cycling)

Carol Cooke (Para cycling)

Samantha Cornish (surfing)

Rachel Dutschke (diving)

Chelsea Hall (sailing)

Georgina Howe (rowing)

Selma Kajan (athletics)

Haylee Outteridge (sailing)

Sophia Scarff (rowing)

Lucy Stephan (rowing)