New Advisory Group supporting Australia’s growing athlete wellbeing network
Australia’s high performance sport system continues to prioritise wellbeing and engagement, with a dedicated Advisory Group established to optimise wellbeing support across the system.
11 December 2023
Australia’s high performance sport system continues to prioritise wellbeing and engagement, with a dedicated Advisory Group established to optimise wellbeing support across the system.
The inaugural W&E Advisory Group met at Surfing Australia Headquarters. L-R Anthony Quinn (NSWIS), Ruth Trevallion (Rowing and Equestrian), Jason Tutt (Volleyball), Matt Murphy (Paddle), Leesa Gallard (VIS), Eliza Stankovic-Mowle (Athletics), Michelle Mitchell (Surfing) and Rhian Bird (Archery).
The inaugural Wellbeing and Engagement (W&E) Advisory Group has been created to support Australia’s W&E Network which has grown to over 60 W&E providers embedded in able and para sports across the country.
Made up of eight W&E Managers from different sporting organisations and institutes, including Paddle Australia's Matt Murphy and Leesa Gallard from the Victorian Institute of Sport, the Advisory Group will drive collaboration across the W&E Network and provide system-wide support and advocacy.
Archery Australia’s High Performance Wellbeing Manager and W&E Advisory Group member Rhian Bird said she is excited to further her contribution to Australia’s world-leading W&E Network.
“It is an honour to be named as one of the inaugural members of this group, to chair the first series of meetings, and to work alongside a passionate and diverse range of providers to provide current and practical advice, knowledge and support to the AIS and greater W&E Network,” Bird said.
“This is a real opportunity for us to come together to innovate and help the Australian sports system to truly harness wellbeing for performance outcomes.”
Gallard said she was grateful to be part of the inaugural group.
“I am eager to make a meaningful contribution to shaping the future direction of the W&E Network by providing an avenue to listen and hear from our network.”
The group will serve a two-year tenure, which AIS Wellbeing Network Lead Bianca Fermi said will be critical to Horizons 1 and 2 of Australia’s High Performance Sport Strategy.
“The breadth and diversity of knowledge, skills and experiences of the Advisory Group are reflective of a network of wellbeing practitioners who are a fundamental part of implementing the HP 2032+ Strategy and Win Well. I’m excited about the work we’ll be doing with them,” she added.
The Advisory Group dove headfirst into their initial discussions at Surfing Australia Headquarters in September and will continue to meet monthly until the end of 2025.
Learn more about the AIS W&E initiatives.
W&E Advisory Group 2023-2025
- Anthony Quinn, NSW Institute of Sport
- Eliza Stankovic-Mowie, Athletics Australia
- Jason Tutt, Volleyball Australia
- Leesa Gallard, VIC Institute of Sport
- Matt Murphy, Paddle Australia
- Michelle Mitchell, Surfing Australia
- Rhian Bird, Archery Australia
- Ruth Trevallion, Rowing Australia
