Earlier this year, Hockey coach Katie Allen of Australia, was selected for the International Olympic Committee’s Women in Sport High-Performance (WISH) pathway programme. Allen, the current assistant coach of China Women and recent coach of Real Sociedad de Tenis in the Spanish Men’s League, recently attended the WISH residential week in London; an immersive experience that brought together 36 elite coaches from 30 countries and 21 sports. The group engaged in intensive leadership education and self-development sessions led by world-class facilitators, sharing insights across disciplines and cultures.
Reflecting on the experience, Allen highlighted how the WISH Programme gave her a rare opportunity to focus on her own growth as a leader.
“This area of coaching is often underrated yet is fundamental to becoming a successful elite-level coach. Being able to inspire and bring people together, communicate powerfully and effectively manage situations are as important as tactical or technical knowledge,” she said.
Allen also emphasized the value of connection:
“Listening and learning from a cohort of great women from around the world was incredibly enriching. We shared our journeys, challenges and successes, and built a peer network that I had often lacked as an elite coach.”
Over the next eight months, Allen will continue her development through leadership mentoring sessions. She aims to apply her learnings directly to her current role as Assistant Coach of the China Women’s Hockey Team as they prepare for the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026.
“With the ongoing support of the WISH Programme and the wisdom shared by fellow coaches, I look forward to leading with greater impact, both now and in future roles.”
About the WISH Programme:
The Women in Sport High-Performance (WISH) Pathway is an IOC/Olympic Solidarity initiative designed to enhance leadership opportunities for women coaches working at elite levels, fostering diversity and excellence across global sport. By the start of 2025, a total of 120 coaches from 59 countries and 22 sports had already graduated from the WISH programme, progressing forward on the challenge of tackling under-representation of women in elite coaching.
