Even after carefully planning her retirement from swimming, eight-time Olympic medallist Cate Campbell says stepping away from elite sport has been challenging, highlighting the importance of programs like the Australian Institute of Sport's (AIS) Accelerate program that support athletes as they navigate life beyond competition.
Campbell is one of 15 former female athletes selected for the 2026 AIS Accelerate program, which supports retiring female athletes to find their next career in sport.
The 2026 cohort includes athletes from across Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sport, including former Opals captain Tess Madgen, London 2012 Paralympic silver medallist Leanne del Toso and Paralympian Emily Tapp. The group boasts an impressive 11 Olympic Games, eight Paralympic Games and 42 World Championship appearances between them.
Since its launch, AIS Accelerate has supported more than 80 retired female athletes from over 30 sports to build networks and move into roles across the sport sector, including alumni such as Australian Olympic Chef de Mission Anna Meares, Rowing Australia CEO Sarah Cook and inaugural Port Adelaide AFLW head Juliet Haslam.
Campbell said being able to connect with other athletes from different sports who are also navigating retirement is one of the reasons she was drawn to the program.
"This is a time where many athletes feel disconnected, lost and isolated, and while I had been preparing for it for a long time, I am still finding it difficult," Campbell said.
"I am excited to get some guidance on what career paths I might like to pursue, but I am most excited to sit in a room full of other female athletes and hear about their experiences. We are all at such different stages in our journeys and the wealth of knowledge in the room will be invaluable."
AIS Accelerate is part of a broader effort to retain the experience and leadership of Australia's female athletes within the high performance system as they transition out of competition. It reflects the Win Well Strategy's commitment to athlete-centred pathways and building outstanding people and organisations, ensuring athletes have clear support before, during and after their sporting careers.
"Athletes develop an enormous amount of knowledge and leadership during their careers, and it's important that experience continues to benefit the system once they step away from competition," AIS Director Matti Clements said.
"Programs like Accelerate help ensure that experience stays within Australian sport, strengthening the people who will guide the next generation of athletes on the road to Brisbane 2032 and beyond."
Alongside Accelerate, the AIS supports transition through initiatives such as dAIS Transition grants, the Gen32 coaching program, and the Retired Athlete Peer Support Network, all designed to help athletes stay connected to sport and move into coaching, leadership and performance roles.
AIS Accelerate is supported by the Australian Government's Office for Women through the Women Leaders in Sport program. To learn more about AIS Accelerate visit the Australian Sports Commission website.
