The Women in Sport High Performance Programme (WISH) is now open for applications

World Rowing is seeking applications from Member Federations for the Women in Sport High Performance Pathway, also known as the WISH Programme.

The WISH Programme has been developed in cooperation with the IOC/Olympic Solidarity, ASOIF, AIOWF and several other International Federations (IFs). The aim of the programme is to equip women coaches, who already have the potential and ambition, to succeed in gaining roles in high performance coaching. This includes Olympic, World Championship and continental representation.

The programme runs over 21 months and provides access leadership training, leadership mentoring, sport-specific training led by World Rowing and engagements with the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and Member Federations (MFs).

The programme includes:

• One residential session for 5 days in the UK, 23-29 October 2022 (Travel and accommodation costs will be covered by the programme.)
• Self Assessment and 360 feedback on leadership and sport specific competencies
• 8 online leadership sessions
• 8 leadership mentor sessions
• 4 sport-specific mentor sessions
• Access to a diverse network of coaches from different regions and sports.

Twenty-six women from six sports and 23 nations completed a pilot women’s high performance coach programme (WSLA HPC), led by the same delivery team from 2019-2021, which had many successes despite the global pandemic. Five rowing coaches completed this pilot and have since taking on high performance positions leading crews at World Championships, Olympic Qualification regattas and Continental Championships. Four of the five coaches are progressing to become World Rowing Coach Educators and part of the World Rowing Continental Development teams. One of the coaches has prepared and led the 2021 World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals Junior  Champion.

The programme is special in that Olympic Solidarity and IOC with the IFs and NOCs will continue to track and support these high-performance women coaches going forward, and a commitment has been made to support a series of new cohorts of women coaches in the next three years.

Nominations should be made through the Member Federation and information about the application process has been circulated. Applications close on the 30th of April, and successful candidates will be notified by mid-May. If you would like more information about the programme, please email development@worldrowing.com