Join NSW Athletics as Our Grow to Gold PhD Researcher

NSW Athletics is excited to announce the launch of the GrowtoGold PhD program, developed in partnership with the University of Sydney. This new initiative forms a key part of our commitment to strengthening athlete development and pathway systems across New South Wales.

This PhD offers a unique opportunity for a candidate who is passionate about long‑term athlete development, applied research, and contributing to meaningful change within the sporting system. The project represents a major step forward in building a more sustainable, evidence‑informed pathway that supports athletes from early participation through to long‑term success.

The GrowtoGold PhD will take a holistic, long‑term view of athlete development, exploring how pathways can be better designed to support emerging talent, build strong foundational skills, and create clear, effective progression opportunities at every stage.

The research will adopt a whole‑of‑pathway perspective, examining all stages of athlete development. This includes ensuring athletes are supported during key growth periods, that environments promote long‑term engagement, and that systems are designed to retain and nurture talent over time.

Through this PhD, NSW Athletics aims to identify new opportunities to:

• Strengthen long‑term athlete development models
• Better support athletes during critical stages of growth and maturation
• Improve retention and reduce dropout across the pathway
• Enhance education and alignment for coaches and key stakeholders
• Build more connected systems that support both performance and wellbeing

A major focus of the project is translating research into practical strategies that can be embedded directly into the NSW Athletics pathway. This ensures that insights gained through the program will meaningfully shape how athletes, coaches, and support networks are developed and supported across the state.

The initiative also highlights the importance of education. By improving understanding among coaches, parents, and stakeholders, the program aims to create more consistent, informed, and athlete‑centred environments.

Our partnership with the University of Sydney strengthens the connection between research and applied practice, positioning NSW Athletics as a leader in developing forward‑thinking, sustainable athlete pathways.

The GrowtoGold PhD is a central pillar of our broader vision to build a connected, athlete‑centred, and coach‑driven pathway system, one that supports performance, long‑term development, wellbeing, and positive experiences for athletes as part of Team NSW.

For more information or to apply for the role, click here.