Australia’s Sports Commission revealed two advisory groups totaling 22 members Thursday, tasking them with crafting national strategies to elevate coaching and officiating across the country.

The Coaching Advisory Group, with 12 members, and the Officiating Advisory Group, with 10, emerged from a field of hundreds of competitive applications. Participants bring expertise from various sports, along with diverse skills and a shared drive to collaborate, according to commission officials.

Each group will lead the creation of an action plan focused on engaging, supporting and advancing coaches and officials at the community level. The plans recognize their essential role in supporting positive sporting environments nationwide.

Three-time Commonwealth Games lawn bowls gold medallist Ellen Falkner MBE joins the Coaching Advisory Group. As Workforce Development General Manager at Bowls Australia, she aims to infuse the panel with her international perspective, coaching know-how and leadership experience.

“I look forward to collaborating with others to raise the profile and visibility of coaches and coaching, and to strengthen the leadership capability of coaches through better support, connection and empowerment,” Falkner said.

Nathan Magill anchors the Officiating Advisory Group. He has led referee development efforts in Australia and England and now oversees referee education and development at U.S. Soccer.

“I want to help create environments where officials are better educated, better supported, and have clear, transparent pathways to progress,” Magill said.

Both groups convene next week to kick off work on their respective action plans. The process will include broader input opportunities for sector stakeholders to contribute ideas and feedback, officials said.

Katie Foulkes, the commission’s Director of Coaching and Officiating, will chair the panels. The initiative highlights the Australian Sports Commission’s commitment to upskilling the nation’s coaches and officials amid ongoing efforts to strengthen grassroots sports infrastructure.

Commission leaders emphasized the groups’ role in addressing key challenges, such as enhancing leadership pipelines and creating supportive networks. Falkner and Magill’s appointments highlight the blend of elite athletic backgrounds and administrative expertise guiding the effort.

The action plans aim to deliver concrete steps for national implementation, potentially influencing funding, training programs and recognition for those shaping community sports. Stakeholders can expect calls for input as the groups advance their deliberations in coming months.