ACT Triathlon and Aus Triathlon are excited to run the Tri LeadHERS in Coaching program after receiving funding for the 2025-26 Women’s Coaching and Officiating Support Program from the ACT government.
The Triathlon LeadHers in Coaching program is a dedicated initiative to strengthen the presence of women in the triathlon coaching community by creating a supportive pathway across all levels of coaching.
The project will deliver a women only coaching course ranging from Level 1 to Level 3 with AusTriathlon funding one current Level 2 coach to complete their Level 3 (Performance) accreditation, further increasing female representation at the elite end of the sport.
ACT Board President, Lara Lever expressed her excitement in receiving the funding and the positive implications running this program will have on the triathlon community within the ACT.
“The Tri LeadHERS coaching program is a unique opportunity to develop the talent of women coaches in the ACT,” she said.
“Receiving the ACT Government grant means that we can support the next generation of triathlon coaches gain the skills they need to support our athletes reach their sporting goals, as well as provide new pathways and opportunities for leaders within our sport.
I am excited for the future of triathlon in the ACT.”
ACT clubs will actively be involved in nominating participants, to ensure that more women across the territory are getting access to leadership and coaching opportunities.
By addressing existing barriers and providing a clear pathway for women coaches, Triathlon LeadHers in Coaching will empower more women to step into leadership roles, build confidence, and create lasting impact across the triathlon community.
Currently there is a critical gap between female participation and female coaching representation in the ACT. Across the territory there is 544 members of which 311 are female (57%) while there’s 233 males (43%).
But when we break it down into the coaching realm there’s only 10 accredited Foundation (Level 1) coaches, 7 Development (Level 2) coaches, and no Performance (Level 3) coaches.
This course will look to close the gap by upskilling existing female coaches and provide a chance for more women to gain exposure to coaching environments and represent the participant base.
As it stands, the absence of high-level female coaches has prevented ACT Triathlon from sourcing local coaches to lead State Pathway programs, limiting opportunities for young athletes to be mentored by women.
The holistic impact of LeadHers in Coaching extends beyond accreditation numbers.
Women-only courses directly reduce barriers such as lack of confidence, limited access to role models, time constraints, and perceptions of coaching as male-dominated. By creating inclusive and supportive learning environments, the program empowers women to pursue new opportunities and leadership avenues.
This is an exciting step for the organisation as we hero more women in sport by providing them with an opportunity to develop and enhance their coaching skills through tailored programs.
