About The W32 Project:
The W32 Project is a six-month coach development initiative delivered from May to October as a key action within Swimming Australia’s Women in Coaching strategy.
This year, the project levels up to support women coaches across two distinct cohorts, recognising that succession planning requires different development experiences for coaches at different stages of readiness. The W32 Project is designed to strengthen the female coaching pipeline by supporting the progression of swim coaches who demonstrate future potential to operate within performance and high-performance aligned environments. It targets coaches who are actively developing athletes toward state and national-level outcomes and who are seeking to further build their capability, confidence and readiness for future performance roles within the sport.
The program is delivered through a structured combination of face-to-face sessions, webinars, mentoring and applied development activities. The design is intentionally aligned to the real-world demands of active coaching roles, with a strong emphasis on practical application, peer learning, targeted support and addressing cultural, systemic and practical barriers that can influence female coach progression.
The 2026 model has been intentionally designed as a progression step from the inaugural year.
About Ignite:
Ignite - focuses on developing technical coaching competency, including session plan design, managing the daily training environment, skill acquisition, leadership capability and developing communication style, and brand.
The Ignite Cohort will:
- Connect you to a mentor coach for career development.
- Welcome you to the Lead.Elevate.Inspire Camp
- Inspire you through a series of webinars, designed to build technical and
leadership skills.
- Include an opportunity to attend Industry networking events and activities.
About Accelerate:
Accelerate - focuses on developing technical coaching competency to strengthen performance pathway capability, incorporates 1:1 coaching sessions, and provides an opportunity for an immersive coaching experience with HP Coaches from across the country.
The Accelerate Cohort will:
- Connect you to a mentor coach for career development.
- Welcome you to the Lead.Elevate.Inspire Camp
- Inspire you through a series of webinars, designed to build technical and
leadership skills.
- Include an opportunity to attend Industry networking events and activities.
- Provide 1:1 Career Support Coaching
- Include an immersive 'on deck' experience with a HP Coach (individualised)
Who Should Apply
- Women coaches who are actively coaching within swimming environments across able-bodied swimming, para-swimming and/or open water.
- Coaches who can demonstrate athlete progression outcomes relevant to the cohort they are applying for.
- Coaches who are ready to contribute to a committed and ambitious learning environment.
- Coaches who are willing to engage fully in an eight-month development journey from May to October.
- Past W32 participants who meet the relevant criteria and are ready to level up into the next stage of their progression.
Program Commitments
The W32 Project is designed for coaches who are ready to commit. Submission of an application should indicate that the applicant has carefully considered the time, energy and engagement required and is willing to participate fully if selected.
- Attend webinars, mentoring sessions, shared learning activities and in-person experiences as required.
- Be willing to be available from Tuesday 5 May to Thursday 7 May for the in-person W32 Lead. Elevate. Inspire. Camp. - In Melbourne
- Be available to participate in the full six-month program from March to October.
- Actively contribute to discussion, reflection and peer learning.
- Complete required preparation tasks, reflections and follow-up activities in a timely way.
- Ensure you have support from your employer. - Outside of the camp, the standard time commitment is up to 6 hours a month.
Selection Principles
- Demonstrated coaching outcomes relevant to the selected cohort
- Alignment with the purpose of the W32 Project
- Readiness for the development opportunity offered
- Capacity to contribute meaningfully to the W32 Project learning environment
- Commitment to participation and progression
Eligibility and Application Requirements
W32 Ignite
- Hold a valid Australian Swim Coach Licence.
- Be an active swimming coach across able-bodied swimming, para-swimming and/or open water.
- Have demonstrated experience progressing athletes toward state qualifying standards.
- Show clear intent and commitment to developing toward national-level performance outcomes.
- Be available to engage fully in the six-month program.
Applicants for Ignite must submit a 3 minute video, coaching background summary, athlete development evidence, a statement of intent, commitment and availability confirmation, and a letter of support from their club, school or employer organisation.
W32 Accelerate
- Be an active swimming coach operating in an environment where they are working with or are directly coaching national-level athletes.
- Have demonstrated experience coaching athletes to Australian National Championships at Age or Open level across able-bodied swimming, para-swimming and/or open water.
- Be able to evidence sustained involvement in athlete progression at a national level.
- Be seeking to actively progress readiness for future performance pathway coaching opportunities.
- Be available to engage fully in the six-month program.
Applicants for Accelerate must submit a 3–5 minute video, coaching background summary, statement of intent, commitment and availability confirmation, a letter of support, national performance evidence for up to five athletes, and participate in a brief online interview with a Swimming Australia appointed selection panel.