Belinda Stowell appointed AIS Coach Development Lead at WAIS
The Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) welcomes the appointment of Belinda Stowell OAM as AIS Coach Development Lead at WAIS.
Her appointment comes as WAIS, the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and National Institute Network (NIN) continue to prioritise and progress coach development. Developing athletes and staff to fulfill their potential is a strategic priority for WAIS over the next decade leading in to the 2032 Olympic Games.
Stowell is a three-time Olympic sailor and gold medallist from the 2000 Sydney Games, and for the past 17 years she has helmed the WAIS sailing program as Head Coach.
In that time Stowell has led a highly successful program, including being recognised as WAIS Coach of the Year at the last two WAIS Annual Awards of Excellence. The Sailing program, under Belinda’s leadership was also recognised as WAIS Program of the Year in 2014.
Her extensive coaching experience includes supporting six athletes to the Olympic Games including Olympic Champions Matt Wearn, who triumphed in the Laser in Tokyo and Tessa Parkinson and Elise Rechichi who won gold in the Women’s 470 in Beijing.
“The opportunity to continue to work with WAIS, in the new role of Coach Development Lead is exciting and challenging,” Stowell said. “It has been a big decision and is a way for me to continue to learn and share my experiences across many sports.
“I’m motivated to work with the amazing group of coaches that are so integral to the success at WAIS, support them, build a stronger system of coach development in WA, and work in a wider team with the AIS Coach Development Leads.”
WAIS Chief Executive Office Steve Lawrence congratulated Stowell on her appointment and welcomed her continued contribution to WAIS, and helping support the next generation of high performances coaches at WAIS and in WA
“Belinda has a wealth of knowledge and skills that have led her to be a highly successful coach. The opportunity for WAIS and the national sports system to be able to retain and utilise Belinda’s expertise in this new role is a great outcome.‚Äù
AIS Coach Development Manager Bill Davoren said the key to success was an integrated national approach.
“It’s fantastic to add these experienced sport leaders to our coach development team,” Davoren said. “They will each be responsible for overseeing and accelerating the development of coaches within their own states and institutes, while also working to a shared national strategy led by the AIS and the NIN.
“Developing coaches is critical for Australia’s sustainable sporting success, these are the leaders who directly identify, guide and progress our champion athletes of the future.”
