Female coaching representation rises sharply, but sexism and abuse persist in Australian sport

The Australian Institute of Sport’s latest audit shows that female head coaches in its funded programs have risen to just over a quarter of all positions, a near-tripling since the 2021 Women in High Performance Coaching launch. Nevertheless, the report documents persistent cases of misogynistic and abusive conduct toward women, alongside challenges such as juggling family responsibilities and breaking into the profession.

AIS director Matti Clements called for systemic cultural reform and stronger wellbeing frameworks to keep female coaches in the system. Success stories like former Paralympian Louise Sauvage illustrate how increased investment and visibility are helping women and coaches with disabilities thrive. The review also notes limited representation of First Nations and culturally diverse coaches across both men’s and women’s leagues. Clements argued that diversity is not merely a moral goal but a competitive advantage for Australian sport.