AW&E Managers spotlighted as key to athlete success in 2032 and beyond

Funded by the Australian Institute of Sport, Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement (AW&E) Managers are considered to be the “heart of the high-performance sport system, with holistic athlete development the national focus in the green and gold decade and beyond.”

AW&E Managers form a network of support across the high-performance (HP) system to provide athletes with opportunities for personal and professional development, as well as access to the AIS Mental Health Referral Network, the Career Practitioner Referral Network and community engagement initiatives.

AW&E Managers from across Australia recently gathered in Canberra to learn, collaborate, and share information to improve the wellbeing of HP athletes across the entire system.

Archery Australia National Wellbeing and Engagement Manager Rhian Bird notes “The AW&E Network gatherings are invaluable because we can talk to other Managers, learn from them, challenge our own thinking and identify innovative practices we can implement to improve in our own sports.”

Two-time Olympian Melissa Breen sat on a panel at the gathering and emphasised the importance of the AW&E Network for HP athletes noting “having all AW&E Managers together in one place for three days, you just think of how much learning and incidental conversations are happening that can benefit both the Managers and their athletes.

“It’s wonderful seeing the sense of purpose and drive that the Managers all have. It’s really reassuring for the future of sport in Australia that these people really do care.”

Australia’s 2032+ High Performance Strategy was a hot topic at the gathering with AIS National Wellbeing Manager Sonia Boland acknowledging that while AW&E Managers are key to the success of the Strategy, everyone in the HP system has a part to play.

Boland added “The 2032+ HP Strategy is an exciting opportunity for the sport sector to understand how wellbeing is integrated and woven through all elements of HP.

“While AW&E Managers have a crucial role in leading the way and bringing the Strategy to life, it needs to be owned collectively by everyone in the HP system.”

Learn more about wellbeing in HP sport at www.ais.gov.au/health-wellbeing