Ashleigh Meneses dives in to coaching as part of Gen32 program
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Ashleigh Meneses switched her attention from her own diving career to that of coaching and is now part of the Australian Institute of Sport’s National Generation 2032 (GEN32) Coach Program.
It is a switch that has excited WAIS Diving Head Coach Tommy Michael, as he looks to grow diving participation in both athletes and coaches in Western Australia.
“The work that Ashleigh has done already, has made a significant impact to our diving program. I hope that following the program she decides to stay,” Michael said.
Ashley, who began diving at twelve, hung up the togs after a successful international career, to focus on her coaching and studying pursuits.
“I started a diving coaching course when I was still in high school, then using this accreditation to coach at holiday programs around Victoria.
“When the opportunity arose to participate in the GEN32 program alongside Tommy [my old coach], I couldn’t pass it up.”
After making the move from Victoria to Western Australia, she has immersed herself within WA’s diving pathway and has set ambitions for her coaching career.
“I’ve learnt a lot of leadership skills and responsibilities so far and have been trying to build really good relationships with my athletes.
“Right now, the focus is on helping my athletes qualify for Nationals, then compete with a top five finish.
“Long-term, I want to move my way up the coaching ladder and take Tommy’s spot,” she said laughing. “But in all seriousness, at some stage down the track I would love to be coaching at a National/International level.”
Alongside the program, Ashleigh is studying Primary Education at University.
“The AIS and WAIS have been super supportive of my studies, they have allowed me to do three units alongside my GEN32 commitments.
“Teaching and coaching are really similar, so everything I’m learning at Uni, I’m also practicing on a coaching front.”
Tommy, who comes from a family of diving coaches, was also first a successful International Diver before retiring as the World Champion High Diver in 1994.
“After ten years of professional high diving, I received a call from Northwestern University over in the states, to offer me a job as the Head Diving Coach.
“My Dad, brother and sister were coaches and I thought this was enough coaches for one family. But I said yes to the job offer for the school year in 1994 and I’ve been coaching ever since.
“I’ve coached at a couple of different universities in the States, but when a guy that I used to compete with from Australia, told me about a job opening at diving Victoria, I applied for it and got the job – taking over the junior high performance program.”
A now naturalised Australian, Michael hopes Meneses can follow in his footsteps.
“Ashley has been amazing already. Alongside the young group she coaches, Ashley is also in charge of talent identification – where she works with schools and her own squad to scope out talent and potentially bring them into our high performance program.
“Maybe one day she’ll take my job, as discussed.”