Supported through the Office for Women, the program has a career and personal development focus and provides opportunities to acquire knowledge, skills, and tools to navigate a professional career in sport.

Since launching in 2021, the program has supported 55 athletes from 26 sports, including Paralympic skier Victoria Pendergast who recently transitioned to the role of Automation and Audience Growth Manager at the Australian Olympic Committee.

“I highly recommend the AIS Accelerate Program to any athlete in Australian Sport. The program facilitates personal growth, the pathways into support and an environment where other women champion each other’s growth” said Pendergast.

Accelerate program alumni Emma Bowker (nee Moffatt) and Samantha Hamilton also speak highly of the initiative and encourage all retired women athletes to apply for the 2024 program.

“The program was all about us. They made sure everything was personalised just for us retired female athletes... matching our interests, skills, and background,” said Hamilton who was part of the program in 2023 and is now the High-Performance Women’s Pathway Manager at Baseball Victoria and National Women’s Team Assistant Coach at Baseball Australia.

“The program was incredible at facilitating networking and social connections. Not only did I get to meet fellow retired athletes who share my passion for sports and career goals, but the program also introduced me to industry professionals and experts,” Hamilton added.

"Being part of the Accelerate Program was an amazing experience, it gave me the confidence and the skills to believe that transferring my athletic abilities into a career in sport was achievable," said Bowker, who shortly after completing the 2023 program was appointed Olympic Lead at Triathlon Australia.

“It’s been amazing to form a tight-knit crew with like-minded women and have access to invaluable advice, insights, and opportunities.”

The program will be delivered through a mixture of in-person residential workshops, online learning and one-on-one career practitioner support, and will be tailored to meet the needs of the successful group applicants.

Expressions of interest for the 2024 program close 18 February.

Visit the AIS Athlete Accelerate webpage for further information.