The AOICS program provides high-level professional development, education and formal training to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Olympic sport coaches, with the graduation ceremony marking the completion of all required program elements.

Hailing from Northern Territory, Western Australia, Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales, the program graduates include Dawn Maizie Baira, Travis Carroll, Shana Casimiro and Keegan Popowsi from Hockey, Simone Carré and Benjamin Catley from Athletics, Libby Cook-Black, Andrew Thorpe, TJ Cora and Tiana Brockhurst from Marathon, and Michael Faccin and Kimberly Eulenstein from Swimming.

These twelve coaches are now accredited to deliver ongoing coach development courses in targeted Indigenous communities across Australia. After the Paris 2024 Games, the graduates will begin visits to communities across Australia to pass on their knowledge to other Indigenous coaches.

AOC CEO Matt Carroll congratulated the twelve graduates on their completion of the program.

“Congratulations to the twelve Australian Olympic Indigenous Scholarship program graduates,” Mr Carroll said.

“The AOC is committed to Indigenous Reconciliation through sport, and delivering practical outcomes lies at the heart of that commitment.

“Without coaches, we don’t have Olympians and without the support of Toyota, we could not deliver this excellent program that we celebrate today with the graduation of our 12 coaches.

“I would like to thank the member sports for their commitment to this program, Swimming Australia, Athletics Australia and Hockey Australia, as well as the Indigenous Marathon Foundation.

“I would also like to acknowledge the Queensland Academy of Sport, University of Canberra, Centre for Healing and Justice through Sport, and the Royal Australian Airforce who each played key roles in the delivery of this program.”

Toyota Australia Senior Manager of External Affairs Tim Stuckey said Toyota was proud to partner with the AOC on this program.

“Across the last year, the 12 coaches have demonstrated their skills and dedication to their respective sports and communities. Now, they will be able to pass on their knowledge, which will have a lasting positive impact on athletes throughout Australia,” Mr Stuckey said.

“Toyota is committed to supporting communities through grassroots sport. Alongside the Australian Olympic Committee, we are particularly proud to be the founding partner of the Australian Indigenous Olympic Scholarship program which is contributing to the creation of a more inclusive society in which everyone has the opportunity to unlock their potential.”

Marathon coach Libby Cook-Black, a proud woman of the Samep Tribe, Erub Island in the East of Zenadth Kes, Far North Queensland, said it felt surreal to be graduating from the AOICS program.

“I feel like this is just the start of something,” Libby said.

“Being a First Nations women, you can sometimes feel quite invisible, so being part of this program has been something that is really special.

“From our very first session where we looked at coaching girls and just to know that we were part of an Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander program specifically designed by the AOC, I felt really seen, heard and valued.

“That has then been amplified through every single session we have had throughout the program, and it has changed the way I see myself and value myself in sport.” 

Swimming coach and proud Wiradjuri woman, Kim Eulenstein, said she looks forward to taking what she has learned in this program back to her community to help develop the next generation of Indigenous athletes.

“Growing up, I didn’t know any other indigenous swimmers or coaches, I didn’t see that representation and I didn’t feel that connection growing up as an athlete,” Kim said.

“This program has really shone a light on Indigenous coaches, not only in my sport, but in a range of different sports. It is so important not only for us as coaches to be recognised, but for the next generation of Indigenous athletes to be able to have access to Indigenous coaches and support networks.

“To graduate feels amazing, it feels like we have been on a great journey together as coaches. To have the support from everyone at the AOC, our governing bodies and all the key stakeholders, it has been really special,” she concluded.

Proud Palawa man of Lutruwita, Keegan Popowski, said while it was bittersweet to graduate the AOICS program, he is excited for what’s to come.

“We spoke a lot about how we can help the athlete, but I think what I am most excited about is being able to go back and help develop the next group of Indigenous coaches,” the Hockey coach said.

“To provide that support and grow our network of coaches would be amazing, and if we are able to build on that network of Indigenous coaches hopefully that leads to even more Indigenous athletes in the future.”

The coaches join a group of four basketball coaches who became the first cohort to complete the program in early 2023.