Softball Australia are pleased to be working with the AIS and the National Institute Network (NIN) as part of the National Generation 2032 Coach Program, a joint initiative aimed at developing High Performance coaches ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.

As announced this morning, Olympian Leigh Godfrey is one of 31 coaches who will take part in the two-year paid apprenticeship.

Leigh will be embedded into the High Performance (HP) environment at Softball Australia during her apprenticeship, adding a dedicated resource to the HP team to work directly with our future Olympians.

Leigh will receive support from a senior mentor coach, and National Generation 2032 Coaches will also participate in six AIS ‘Learning Labs’ that focus on coaching through innovation and technology, interpersonal and leadership skills, and an increased understanding of athlete development.

Leigh Godfrey OLY said, “To be able to be a part of a program that is going to further enhance my coaching and life skills is really exciting. It is a massive honour and I'm really looking forward to being challenged and put through a program that is going to allow me to become the best version of myself both on the sporting field and off it.”

Leigh will be undertaking the course on a part-time basis, allowing her to develop her skills as a coach while maintaining a work-life balance. She also hopes undertaking the course on a part-time basis will allow her to learn skills that can be transferred between coaching, her working life, and personal life.

Leigh currently works for Diamond Fitness, providing high performance fitness services, and education and accreditation courses.

Softball Australia CEO Rosie Williams OBE said, “This is a fantastic program being led by the AIS and National Institute Network, and we are very excited that Leigh has agreed to come on board with us as part of it. Leigh will develop her own coaching style through this program, while working with our next generation of players to shape them for our future national representative teams.”

The National Generation 2032 program also aims to address the under-representation of women in high performance coaching roles, with 20 of the 31 places on the program held by women coaches.

AIS Acting Director Matti Clements said: “Quality coaching is the foundation for sport at all levels, so it’s wonderful to see the Australian high performance sport system combining forces to develop the next generation of coaches. The aim is that coaches involved in this apprenticeship program will transition to become Australia’s coaching leaders of the future, and we’d hope to see many of them coaching in Brisbane 2032 and beyond.”

Australian Sports Commission CEO Kieren Perkins said the program is focused on enhancing the depth and diversity within Australia’s high performance coaching ranks.

“The future success of Australian athletes and sport relies heavily on identifying, developing and retaining our best coaching talent so we can build sustainable success,” Perkins said. “We want Australia to be a world leader in coach development and this is a big step in that direction.

National Generation 2032 Coach Program recipients are: Aileen Reid (Triathlon); Ashlee Ankudinoff (Cycling, SASI); Ashleigh Meneses (Diving, WAIS); Ben Walkemeyer (Sailing); Bernadette Wallace (Paddle); Brooke Kemp (Swimming, WAIS); Collis Birmingham (Athletics, VIS); Danny Kevan (Athletics, WAIS); Elissa Kent (Netball, VIS); Emilee Barton (Rugby 7s); Ethan Topalovic (Snow); Hally Chapman (Rowing, NSWIS); Hongbo Liang (Table Tennis); Jackson Holtham (Snow, NSWIS); Jade Shellback (Golf); James Greathead (Triathlon, NSWIS); Jamie Green (Athletics); Jared Tallent (Athletics, SASI); Jay Thompson (Surfing, NSWIS); Kat Smith (Football); Kate Jenner (Hockey, NSWIS); Leah Blayney (Football); Leigh Godfrey (Softball); Lillian Foster (Diving, SASI); Lynsey Clarke (Bowls); Nicole Parks (Snow, NSWIS); Rebecca Stafford (Diving, VIS); Renuga Veeran (Badminton); Rowie Webster (Water Polo, VIS); Shara Romer (Boxing), and Shayne Watson (Baseball).