Swimming WA’s new program, Girls Leading the Lane, is inspiring the next generation of female coaches, officials and athletes

Swimming WA’s ‘Girls Leading the Lane’ event, supported by Hancock Prospecting and its Executive Chairman Mrs Gina Rinehart AO, on International Women’s Day (Sunday 8 March) is building visibility and pathways for women and girls both in and out of the pool.
 
While swimming already boasts strong female participation, leadership roles have traditionally told a different story.

Matt Nelson, General Manager of Swimming WA’s Pathways program said: “Nationally, swimming sees a relatively gender-equal participant base, however outside of the lanes we are still quite a way from achieving that same gender equality in leadership positions.”
 
“What our Girls Leading the Lane event is doing is not only bringing together women and girls in the pool but also showing them there’s a pathway outside of the pool for aspiring women and girls.
 
“We have some incredible female coaches and technical officials who have had some amazing international achievements.
 
“For us, it’s about showcasing their success and those pathways back to our community.”
 
For Swimming WA, supporting women and girls in sport is about more than statistics – it’s challenging outdated perceptions.
 
“It’s important for us that we’re able to play a part in breaking down perceptions and showing women and girls that success and leadership isn’t bound by gender,” said Nelson.
 
Through other progressive initiatives such as the “Coffee and Chat” pilot program – led by female coaching leaders Brooke Kemp and Deb Jones – Swimming WA is helping foster stronger connections between women coaches and building a more supportive pool deck environment across the State.
 
“In 2024, 70 per cent of our performance pathway teams were led by female coaches and a Western Australian female was appointed as the National Head Coach of the Paralympic Program,” Nelson said.
 
“We’ve also been able to support four female technical officials on international pathways through World Aquatics, which has helped further strengthen women’s representation at that elite level.
 
“You can’t aspire to be something you can’t see. We need to show that women and girls have a place in sport and can shape the way that the industry is delivered.”

The event would not be possible without the support of Hancock Prospecting. Their generosity allows Swimming WA to continue delivering initiatives that foster female leadership and create meaningful opportunities for women and girls.
 
For more information about Swimming WA’s Girls Leading the Lane program, click here.