The programme provides students the chance to gain industry insights, build connections, and develop professional skills.
Ten students from Edith Cowan University (ECU) have been selected to partake in the SportWest Women of Sport 2026 Student Mentoring Program.
The nine-month mentoring program with SportWest and mentoring partner Metisphere, provides ten women studying at ECU the chance to gain industry insights, build connections, and develop professional skills through structured mentoring and tailored development activities.
Throughout the program, the students will attend several networking events to connect with fellow participants, mentors and industry leaders, providing the opportunity to engage with role models and learn about diverse pathways in sport.
"This program is a powerful opportunity for our students to be connected to and learn directly from people leading the way in sport. It's about more than professional development, it's about strengthening capability, influence, and networks that will help transform the future of the sporting industry," ECU's Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sport), Professor Sophia Nimphius said.
"This mentoring program gives our students the support and visibility they need to step into leadership roles and drive positive change across the sector."
SportWest CEO Troy Kirkham said the program is about creating real pathways for women in sport.
"We're thrilled to welcome these ten talented ECU students into the Women of Sport Student Mentoring Program. This initiative is about opening doors, building confidence, and showing young women that there is a place for them at every level of the sports industry."
"SportWest is committed to creating a thriving, inclusive sports sector. Programs like this ensure we're not just talking about gender equity; we're building pathways that bring talented women into leadership roles from the very start of their careers."
With over 16 years of delivering gender-specific leadership programs and supporting more than 3,000 women, Metisphere brings invaluable insights to help students build confidence, develop leadership skills, and navigate their career journey.
"This program expertly matches mentees with leaders who inspire and challenge professional and personal growth. Leadership isn't just taught, it's modelled and having a mentor from the sports industry isn't just about advice, it's about unlocking real-world insight. Being mentored by someone in the field provides a front-row seat to the inner workings of the industry," a spokesperson for the company said.
The mentorship program, which is supported by the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport and Lotterywest, will start in March of next year, and will run until November.
ECU congratulates Abbey Armstrong, Caitlin Parker, Charlie Prentice, Chara Reidy, Georgia Atkins, Tejaswini Rohi Jhushi Koolwant, Makayla Pugliese-Thompson, Molly Conroy, Neve Fyneman and Sydney Loveridge, who represent sport-related degrees across the School of Business and Law, School of Engineering and the School of Medical and Health Sciences.
