Empowering Women in Adelaide to Lead and Shape the Future of Sports
Fit to Lead empowers women in Adelaide to step into sports leadership with confidence. This free, hands-on program blends practical training, mentoring, and real-world coaching experience, while connecting participants with experts in Australia, Colombia, and Brazil.
What the program includes
Fit to Lead is a hands-on, practice-based program combining 30 hours of training with a blended learning approach delivered between April and December 2026.
Hands-On Training
Participants complete 30 hours of practical training delivered between April and December 2026, designed to fit around work, study, and coaching commitments.
Online learning modules
Self-paced modules cover physical preparation, nutrition and wellbeing, tactics, and leadership, building strong foundations for coaching and personal development.
Mentoring & Support
Regular mentoring sessions with experienced coaches and female experts provide guidance, feedback, and inspiration throughout the program.
Practical Coaching Experience
Participants are paired with another Fit to Lead participant to co-coach an Adelaide-based soccer team, encouraging shared responsibility, peer learning, and supported decision-making in a real coaching environment.
Cross-Cultural Exchange
Participants engage in cross-cultural exchanges with women coaches overseas, broadening perspectives and connecting with global coaching communities.
Celebration & Showcase Events
The program concludes with celebration and showcase events, recognising participant achievements and highlighting coaching outcomes.
Why Fit to Lead is different?
This is not a theoretical course. It’s a practice-based, mentored program that gives you the chance to apply what you learn by co-coaching a team. You’ll learn, put it into practice, receive feedback, refine your approach, and grow—building confidence as a leader in sport.
16 places available
spots are limited to ensure hands-on experience and mentorship.
Selection based on merit and motivation
we look for participants who are passionate about coaching and leadership.
Official Certificate
participants who complete the program will receive a certificate of completion.
Make an Impact
If you want to lead locally, connect globally, and help shape the future of women in sports, Fit to Lead is your opportunity.
Gallery
Capturing the energy, dedication, and spirit of young women in sports, united by a shared passion and supported by a global movement for empowerment and growth.
Our Partners & Collaborators
Local coaching. Global collaboration.
Adelaide University Soccer Club
Adelaide University Soccer Club provides the real-world coaching environment for the program, supporting participants to apply their learning directly with Adelaide-based teams in a practical and supportive setting.
Adelaide University Soccer Club
Alianza Valledupar FC contributes to the program through cross-cultural exchange and knowledge sharing, connecting participants with women coaches in Colombia and providing insight into community-based football development and leadership pathways.
Alianza Valledupar FC (Colombia)
Blumenau Women’s Basketball brings an international women-in-sport perspective, supporting leadership learning through shared experiences, mentoring discussions, and cross-cultural collaboration with women coaches in Brazil.
Blumenau Women’s Basketball (Brazil)
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Our Team
Driven by passion. United by purpose.
Our team works together to empower young women through soccer, collaboration, and innovation.
Srecko Joksimovic
Program Lead
Professor Srecko Joksimovic is an experienced academic and project leader specialising in AI, learning analytics, and digital innovation in education. He has led large international collaborations across Australia, Europe, and the Americas, integrating research, wellbeing, and community impact. As one of the key figures in the merger forming the new Adelaide University Soccer Club, he brings strong leadership and governance experience, connecting evidence-based research with sport and education initiatives.
Maria Vieira
Leadership Development Lead
Dr Maria Vieira is an emerging leader in advancing gender equity, creativity, and wellbeing through cross-cultural collaboration. With experience spanning Australia and South America, she has led co-designed training and mentoring programs that empower women and young people, including national initiatives such as the STEM Girls Academy and the South Australian Academy for Gender.
Gabi Maas
Fitness Lead
Gabi Maas is a former professional basketball player from Brazil who has built a strong career in sports science and athletic development. She holds a degree in Physical Education with specializations in Sports Training Science and Injury Rehabilitation, combining academic expertise with her athletic background.
Jhan Chopperena
Soccer Development Lead
Jhan Chopperena is an experienced coach on his way to obtaining a professional coaching license. Coaching at all junior levels and running his soccer academy.
Gilmara Amaral
Project Partners
Gilmara Amaral is a licensed nutritionist (CRN 10-5668), graduated in Nutrition from IELUSC (Instituto de Ensino Superior de Joinville, Brazil) over a decade ago and has since built a career dedicated to promoting health and wellbeing.
Henry Carcamo
Project Partners
Henry Carcamo is the physical trainer for Alianza Valledupar FC’s women’s team (Colombia).
Mario Valenti
AUSC President
Vincent Totino
AUSC Operations
PeiYi Liu (Paggie)
Web and Digital Experience Lead
Responsible for managing and growing fit2lead.c3l.ai, including website updates, content coordination, page quality, user experience, and ensuring the platform clearly communicates programs, opportunities, and impact to participants, partners, and the broader community.
We are also social:
Fit2Lead is supported by the Commonwealth through the Council on Australia Latin America Relations, which is part of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
