Gen32 Coaches celebrate momentous women’s sporting moment
Female Coaches from the AIS’s Generation 32 Coach Program shared in the celebration of women’s sport at the Matildas’ opening game of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Sydney.
24 July 2023
Three female coaches from the Australian Institute of Sport’s National Generation 32 Coach Program shared in the celebration of women’s sport while also connecting with female coaches at the Matildas’ opening game of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Sydney.
The Gen32 Coach Program, launched in July 2022, focuses on bolstering the depth and diversity of coaching talent in Australia.
The trio of coaches to attend the World Cup opener were Olympic Winter Institute of Australia coach Renee McElduff (Queensland Academy of Sport), Netball's Elissa Kent (Victoria Institute of Sport), and Rugby 7s coach Emilee Barton.
Their pregame experience included an exclusive address from Vicki Linton, former Matildas Assistant Coach and current NSW Institute of Sport coach.
McElduff said being a part of the record crowd was an amazing moment.
“Was awesome to be here at the World Cup,” she said. “We had 75,000 people here for women's sport - the fact that women's sport is growing not only in Australia but across the world is sensational.”
The Gen32 Coach Program caters to the modern coach, offering childcare support and flexible working arrangements. This has played a significant role in allowing mothers Emilee Barton and Elissa Kent to pursue their coaching careers
In early 2023, a $3.9 million funding boost from the Australian Sports Commission saw the program extend the paid apprenticeship from two to three years for 29 female coaches.
Matildas players celebrate the team's first goal scored by Steph Catley during the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, against Ireland at Sydney's Stadium Australia on July 20, 2023. Photo: Getty Images
The pair found inspiration in the story of Australian Matildas superstar mother Katrina Gorry, who balances motherhood and her sporting career thanks to the inclusive and supportive high-performance environment of the team.
"We loved Katrina, just hearing about her story of wanting to have a child and bringing her daughter into the team environment and how it's been embraced by the coach, it is fantastic,” Barton said.
"The Matildas talk in their documentary; not only is it something they tolerate, but it's a performance gain. It is great to see a coach in a high-performance environment really have those connections with the players, making them feel comfortable and, in a position, to be their best selves and the best for the team,” Barton said.
Elissa Kent, left, Emilee Barton and Renee McElduff enjoy the Matildas' first match of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup at Stadium Australia in Sydney.
