Peralta Selected to AIS Talent Program

NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) Physiotherapist Paula Peralta is among 15 women ready to excel in the sport workforce after being selected into the 2023 Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Talent Program, a six-month bespoke program aimed at advancing the careers of women who work in sport and specialise in science, technology, engineering, maths or medicine disciplines.

“I am really grateful to be among the women selected for this intake of the AIS Talent Program (STEMM) course,” Peralta said.

“I am looking forward to developing my leadership style and skills and look forward to shared experiential learning. I thank NSWIS and the AIS for this opportunity.”

Australian Sports Commission (ASC) CEO Kieren Perkins said he was thrilled to welcome such a strong group of women following a tough selection process.

“The high level of demand and the quality or applicants speaks to the high regard these programs are held.

“Increasing female involvement at all levels of sport is a key priority for the ASC and through a range of programs, we are seeing an increase in women working in a variety of new roles right across the sector.
I look forward to seeing this cohort reach their full potential and continue to make a big impact across Australian sport.”

Queensland Ballet Director of Health and Community Zara Gomes said she’s looking forward to working alongside 14 other sports specialists and merging the worlds of performing arts, health and sport.

“I am really interested in exchanging knowledge and sharing perspectives between the world of elite ballet and high performance sport. There are many similarities between the training, goals and pressures on dancers as ‘athletic artists’ and high performance athletes. I’m looking forward to exploring how we can assist each other to lead in our fields with innovative approaches.”

The program will see participants come together for in-person workshops at the AIS while undertaking tailored online training focused on developing their leadership capabilities and strengthening their personal brand.

The programs are supported by funding from the Australian Government’s Office for Women, in conjunction with the AIS and the Australian Sports Commission. The $3.4 million in funding over four years also supports the long running Women Leaders in Sport Program.

2023 Talent Program (STEMM) participants: Krystle Gayle Tate (ACT Academy of Sport), Alice Mae (ACT Brumbies), Samantha Pomroy (Basketball Australia), Renee Appaneal (Cricket ACT), Nicole Sly (Cricket Australia), Kathleen Sakadjian (Melbourne Demons), Paula Peralta (NSW Institute of Sport), Sharon Stay (Queensland Academy of Sport), Megan Shephard (Queensland Academy of Sport), Zara Gomes (Queensland Ballet), Kylie Holt (Swimming Australia), Kylie Andrew (Victorian Institute of Sport), Helen Bayne (Western Australia Institute of Sport), Nicole Townsend (Australian Sports Commission), Nikki Jaecocke (Australian Sports Commission)

Article courtesy of the AIS