As Australian Sailing continues to ‘supercharge’ coaching under our high performance strategy, we initiated the inaugural NEXTLEVEL coaching program in 2022 and are excited to announce the extension and expansion of this support for 2023 NEXTLEVEL coach program intake.

“The NEXTLEVEL program is a key ingredient to us building depth and quality in the HP coaching pathway. It is a useful steppingstone in providing coaches with aspirations to coach in the performance pathway or at national level with development opportunities to support them developing their understanding of those roles and building the experience and skills to enable them to transition into that level and type of coaching” explains National Performance Pathways Manager, Ken Lynch.

The 2022 cohort included five coaches from a range of sailing backgrounds. Once selected, they followed of a process of reflection into their coaching philosophy and approach, developing an individual development plan supported by an experienced mentor. Through the year they actioned those plans and pursue relevant experiences and knowledge across the programs and sport system. “The key to supporting these coaches in enhancing their daily practice is being clear on the actions and ensuring we draw out what learnings they can apply to their own practice and test that. Our focus on applied learning is deliberate and a powerful vehicle for coach development”.

The 2022 cohort will continue into a second year of support. The search for another five suitable candidates to access and utilise this support with the aim of being a HP performance pathways coach and/or national coaches in the future. ‘The opportunity to get access to this type of support and the learning involved in the process gives aspiring coaches a real sense of what is required at this level of coaching. It is a challenging but rewarding process that can help coaches develop their own coaching practice’ explained Ash Brunning.

If you, or someone you know who is focused on coaching in Olympic classes or Olympic pathway classes would be interested in applying for the 2023 Cohort of our NEXTLEVEL program, please click the link here https://www.sailing.org.au/events/177941 and register your interest by applying. The deadline for applications will be close of business (AUS EST), 20th April. The program will run through to March 2024. We look forward to meeting the next cohort of coaches and supporting them in their development as they look to improve their own practice.

Please see below for insights from the 2022 #NEXTLEVEL coach cohort.

Katy Jones – QLD 

Katy Jones reflected on the value of the coach advance retreat and the importance of building an open community of practice, “the coaches camp also gave the opportunity to work collaboratively with coaches to influence the future of the performance pathway program and sailors. Feeling like you have a legitimate voice in the room was empowering and all of the Futures and Performance Pathway coaches welcomed us and our opinions with open arms.” She also said the following around the impact of the program, "This program will add to the performance pathway and clubs because when coaches can collaborate and work together, this will allow for a multiplier effect on sailors having exposure to more ideas and more coaches, therefore allowing opportunity to improve their sailing skills across our pathways".

Jaime Swavley - NSW

Identifying her most valuable learning experience, Jamie Swavley said, “The most helpful experience was down in Victoria observing the 470 futures program run by Carrie Smith and Amelia Catt. I liked having time to build in person relationships and there was specific transferable knowledge for the 420 class that I coach in NSW. I appreciated observing strong female coaches and whilst I was here, I received 1:1 in person mentoring from Ash, where I was able to talk through things I was observing and learn from him.”

Mitch Pearson - QLD

Around the program activity, Mitch Pearson said, “Through NEXTLEVEL, I have been working with a mentor (Ken Lynch) who has helped me develop a comprehensive coaching development plan. This plan breaks down my coaching ability and knowledge using the AS coaching development framework and helps to target the areas in my coaching which are in the biggest need of development”.

Hayley Clark – WA

Conrad Byrt – QLD