High-performance coaches are central to the success of Australia’s elite sporting system, yet their own wellbeing has often been overlooked. New research involving Griffith University is helping change that, providing the evidence base for a national shift towards supporting coaches to perform and thrive.
Led by the University of the Sunshine Coast in partnership with Griffith University, Australian Catholic University and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), the Coach Performance Wellbeing Research Program was established in 2021 to better understand the challenges facing high-performance coaches and identify practical ways to improve their wellbeing.
The research aligns with the AIS HP2032+ strategy, which aims to “Win Well” by recognising wellbeing as a driver of sustained performance, rather than a competing priority. Before this research, however, there was limited evidence available to guide organisations in supporting coach wellbeing at a system level.
The three-part research program examined athlete transitions out of elite sport, coach wellbeing needs, and the role organisational cultures and leadership decisions play in shaping coach experiences. Across the program, researchers engaged with athletes, wellbeing practitioners, coaches, CEOs and performance directors from across Australia’s high-performance sport system.
One of the most significant findings was that coaches consistently prioritised athletes’ wellbeing ahead of their own. A national survey of 118 high-performance coaches and co-design workshops involving 40 coaches from 29 sports highlighted a strong demand for psychological safety, mentoring, clear boundaries around work, and structural rather than tokenistic support.
“What makes this work particularly important is that it has moved beyond identifying challenges to creating practical, evidence-based solutions that sporting organisations can implement. When coaches are supported to thrive, athletes, teams and organisations all benefit.”
The research findings have already influenced policy and practice across the sector. The recommendations developed through the project have been embedded in the Australian Sports Commission’s Coach Development Strategy and informed the AIS Coach Performance Wellbeing Framework, which supports coaches through referral networks, wellbeing resources, organisational support and personal development opportunities.
The research has also contributed to operational resources including the AIS Guidelines on Optimising Athlete Transition, the Athlete Transition Journey, and the High Performance Coach Development Capability System Tool.
Perhaps the most tangible example of impact is the South Australian Sports Institute’s Performance Wellbeing Lead pilot. Designed using insights from the research, the pilot embedded a dedicated wellbeing practitioner alongside elite coaches, providing relationship-based support within a high-performance environment. The success of the pilot has led to an extension of the program and plans for further pilots across the National Institute Network.
The work is also attracting international attention, with findings informing discussions through organisations including Sport Ireland and the International Council for Coaching Excellence, which has established a new research group focused on Winning Well and safe coaching practices.
As Australia looks ahead to major international competitions over the coming decade, the research is helping ensure that the people responsible for developing and supporting athletes receive the support they need as well. The program continues to generate new opportunities for research translation, policy development and practical implementation across the high-performance sport sector.
Visit the Winning Well project webpage and download the full publication to explore the research findings, impact and practical applications for high-performance sport.
