Early-career performance support staff label AIS program invaluable
For Australian Sailing Team Physiotherapist Steph Alberts, taking part in the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Practitioner Development program has broadened not only her skills but her understanding of Australian high performance sport.
18 December 2024
For Australian Sailing Team Physiotherapist Steph Alberts, taking part in the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Practitioner Development program has broadened not only her skills but her understanding of Australian high performance sport.
The 2024 AIS Practitioner Development Program cohort.
Alberts is one of fifteen practitioners who took part in this year’s Practitioner Development program, which aims to fast-track the careers of performance support staff who are either just starting out or new to the HP system.
She says being able to learn alongside people from different specialities, including dieticians, physiologists, sport scientists, performance analysts, and wellbeing managers, was one of the highlights of her time in the program.
“Although we operate within distinct sporting contexts, as practitioners, we encounter similar challenges. The opportunity to engage in discussions and exchange ideas with professionals from other sports regarding their approaches and practices has proven to be immensely valuable,” Alberts said.
“Engaging in discussions with fellow practitioners from diverse settings enabled me to apply the skills acquired through the AIS Practitioner Development program more effectively, enhancing my ability to utilise them in daily practice.
“I look forward to continuing to challenge myself and contribute to the ongoing development of the Australian high performance sport.”
This sentiment was also felt by Jasdev Singh, Physical Preparation Specialist at the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS), who said the program offered a rich learning experience.
“The AIS Practitioner Development Program condensed some of the most important lessons on communication and collaborative skill that might otherwise take many years of experience in the HP system to develop,” Singh said.
“The knowledge gained has and will continue to allow me to deliver in my area of expertise with greater precision and impact.”
As part of their time in the program, the group also attended this year’s AIS Performance Teams Forum, which brought together some of Australia’s top performance support staff to share insights and ensure success across the system.
Find out more about the AIS Practitioner Development Program.
Applications for 2025 intake will open in the new year.
