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.

“Congratulations to the twelve Australian Olympic Indigenous Scholarship program graduates,” AOC CEO Matt 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.”