Athlete retirement is a significant transition, and the decision to step away from competing is not always easy, planned, or straightforward.
For some athletes, retirement comes after achieving long-held goals; for others, it may be influenced by injury, selection changes, or shifting priorities.
Whatever the circumstances, moving on from competing can bring a mix of emotions as you begin the next chapter of your life. There are a range of transition considerations and resources available to help support a successful and positive shift into life beyond competition.
When a NASS athlete makes the decision to officially retire from competition, there is formal process to follow. The guidelines provide an overview of the formal process as well as outline support available.
After years of representing your country through high performance sport, staying connected to the community is a powerful way to keep the legacy alive. Australian Athletics has an Alumni Network designed to celebrate the lives and careers of Alumni athletes and foster a lifelong connection between our former athletes and the sport. It provides a platform to stay engaged with the community, support the wellbeing of themselves and others, and contribute meaningfully to the development of current athletes and staff within our high-performance pathway.
The Athlete to Coach pathway program aims to assist recently retired athletes or athletes who are moving towards retirement, to use the knowledge and experiences gained as competitors in the coaching arena.
The program is a key initiative of Athletics Australia’s High Performance Coach Strategy which aims to support and develop system and personal coaches for the Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032.
If you are interested in finding out more, or exploring the athlete to coach pathway, contact the Australian Athletics Wellbeing Team: wellbeing@athletics.org.au
In addition to the Australian Athletics Alumni Network, NASS athletes who have formally retired from High Performance competition, are eligible to join the AIS Retired Athlete Peer Support Network. The network is a welcoming space where former athletes from different sports can get together to connect, share experiences and help each other navigate life after sport.
The AIS will host several intakes throughout the year which will run in six-week blocks.
The AIS Accelerate program provides a unique experience for retired, podium band categorised, women athletes who are pursuing career options in the sport sector.
