Fast Track Programs – Coaches

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An intensive leadership and development course for female and gender-diverse coaches.

Coaches are a critical component of any sporting environment, from grassroots to elite sport. The Fast Track Program for Coaches has been developed to support the development, education, and training of female and gender-diverse coaches across NSW. The program is delivered through two distinct streams, providing opportunities for coaches at all levels to enhance their skills and capability beyond the technical and tactical aspects of coaching.

In 2026, Sport NSW will deliver two courses: Development Coach and Pathways Coach. Across both programs, participants will engage in a series of interactive workshops designed to encourage self-reflection and strengthen leadership and communication skills, regardless of who you coach, your level of experience, or your future aspirations.

Each course is designed to support your coaching journey, connect you with peers from a range of sports, and equip you with practical tools to continue coaching at any level.

Stream 1: Fast Track Program – Development Coach

The Development Coach Program is designed for community coaches and those new to coaching. The ideal candidate will have recently commenced coaching at the community club level in their chosen sport, or be committed to coaching at this level and looking to build their leadership and communication skills to maximise their impact.

Program and date announcement coming soon.

Stream 2: Fast Track Program – Pathways Coach

The Pathways Coach Program is designed for coaches working within talent or elite-level environments, or those who have begun coaching in high-performance programs (including professional and semi-professional sport, Olympic and Paralympic pathways, or state and national teams). The ideal candidate will have completed, at a minimum, beginner and intermediate coaching qualifications within their sport.

Program and date announcement coming soon.

Key Course Details 

What will you learn?

Each course is tailored to support coaches at different stages of development.  The workshop format allows participants to tailor learning to individual scenarios and situation within the topic of each session.  Key learning areas covered across both courses include:

• Coaching Philosophy and values: Importance of your coaching philosophy including a chance to develop or refresh your own philosophy
• Leadership and influence skills: How we make decisions, respond to stress and how this relates to coaching.
• Development and High performance coaching: Understanding participant and talent development models relative to your specific coaching role.
• People and relationship management: Discussing and development strategies to manage, lead and influence different stakeholder groups as a coach.
• Athlete centred coaching: workshopping and understanding how athlete centred and values based coaching created inclusive environments for all participants at athletes.
• Maximising your impact as a coach: End of course workshop that brings together key learnings of the course in a scenario based workshop to support your individual ongoing learning and journey as a development or pathway coach.

Who should apply?

• Anyone who identifies as female or gender diverse and is coaching in NSW can register to attend the course. 
• Note to participant in the Fast Track Pathway Course you must have completed Foundational and Intermediate Coaching Courses in your sport.

*Sport NSW encourages coaches from all diverse backgrounds to apply.

Hear from past participants about their experience

Fast Track Programs – Officials

TheSport NSW Fast Track Program - Officials is a leadership and development initiative designed to support female and gender diverse officials across New South Wales.The intensive programs aims to boost representation, confidence and capability in emerging elite female sports officials.

The program is designed to supplement tactical and technical official training and education provided by State Sporting Organisations with a focus on leadership, communication and female athlete health.

The program will support participants to develop:

• clear and individualised goals for future career development
• stronger communication and leadership skills
• confidence and resilience skills
• a network of peers to support individuals in their pursuit of their officiating goals

Specifically, the Program will involve:

• A series of 4 x 2.5hour workshops with subject matter experts
• An invitation to attend a De-escalation Training workshop
• A networking and panel discussion event

The Program aims to:

• Increase confidence and resilience in emerging female officials to officiate at increasingly higher level
• Prepare officials for higher pressure environments
• Building resilience and authority
• Increase knowledge of female athlete health and wellbeing

Registration: Prior to registering, please ensure you have read the Program Guidelines. 

To register for the course please head to the following link - Register Here

If you have any questions regarding the course, please contact Nishara Miles, Strategic Projects Manager at Sport NSW - Projects@sportnsw.com.au

2024 Course Information

Listen to what some of the 2024 participants had to say

To date the Fast Track for Females Program has welcomed participants from sports including: 

For any further queries, please contact Nishara Miles, Strategic Projects Manager, Sport NSW at projects@sportnsw.com.au.