Bartram selected for inaugural AIS Accelerate Program

Hockeyroos goalkeeper Jocelyn Bartram is among 17 current and former elite female athletes to be announced in the inaugural Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Accelerate Program.

The AIS announced the participants for two Women Leadership Programs, AIS Accelerate and AIS Talent, as part of its Women Leadership in Sport initiative.

The 12 month programs are about getting and progressing more females, either elite athletes or women already involved in the industry, into the elite sport workplace.

More specifically, the Accelerate Program is focusing on advancing the leadership skills of women in sport across science, technology, engineering, and medical disciplines.

Olympic, Commonwealth Games and World Cup gold medallist, former Hockeyroo and current Hockey Australia Board Member Juliet Haslam is also among the 17 women announced in the program.

Bartram, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Exercise and Sports Science) in 2019, credits Hockey Australia Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement (AWE) Manager Holly Walters for initially sparking her interest in working in either elite athlete support or towards a senior role in program organisation or program management.

Then it was current HA AWE Manager Rohan McHugh (covering Holly on maternity leave) who made Bartram aware of the AIS Accelerate Program and encouraged her to apply.

“The process required submitting an application answering questions on why you want to work in high performance sport, what it is that attracts you to it, and what kind of roles you are looking to pursue in your professional career outside of sport,” said Bartram.

“It really appealed to me because being an elite athlete you see the ins and outs of the world through that lens and I have learnt a lot about programs being run and the potential to have a positive impact in sport.

Whether that is progressing my career as a sports scientist or furthering my career in a different direction.”

“I am also passionate about helping to create a pathway for other females to follow and create a more positive journey for those who want to work in the sport industry.”

A predominant aspect of the program is the opportunity for participants to come together and learn from each other’s expertise and experiences, something the 28 year old who heralds from Albury is excited about.

“It’s going to be an amazing experience and an excellent networking opportunity,” said Bartram.

“I’m a bit starstruck by the women that I’ll be surrounded by and what they have achieved, either in their sporting careers or what they have done away from their sport.

“That in itself is going to be an amazing opportunity to be inspired by them, hear about what they want to do and connect and help each other.

“But it’s also the opportunity to learn from women working in higher roles in sport who will engage and mentor us and help us create a clear pathway of what we want our career to look like.”

The Accelerate Program officially begins in June with the aim of supporting women athletes progress their leadership skills in sport well beyond their athletic careers.

More information about the programs and the full list of participants can be found on the AIS website here.