Coaching Round-Up

Equestrian Australia recently hosted two successful online Coach Educator Update sessions on 13th and 14th May, engaging 50 EA-accredited Coach Educators. The sessions featured a comprehensive EA Coaching Update presented by Michelle Clough, with guest speakers Leslie Bennett who gave an update into the principles of Training and Assessment, and Michelle McCabe from Hunter Valley Behavioural Support, who offered valuable insights into coaching neurodiverse individuals. The strong attendance reflected a shared commitment to ongoing learning within the EA coaching community.

In addition to the online sessions, Michelle Clough, EA Sports Development Officer, has been actively supporting in-person Coach Updates across several states. Visits to South Australia during the Adelaide Equestrian Festival, Victoria as part of the Coaching Extravaganza and a visit to Tasmania has provided opportunities for coaches to engage directly with Michelle and fellow Coach Educators, including Will Enzinger, Jo Mcfarlane, Suzan Mcdermott, and Jan Smith. These sessions emphasised the importance of communication in strengthening the coaching network. Michelle noted, “It has been great meeting all the coaches and coach educators in person. Being able to talk all things coaching is helping to improve communication for the future.” Further visits to additional states are planned.

Other exciting developments currently taking shape in the coaching space include:

• The reinstatement of State Coaching Chair Meetings
• A dedicated Coaches E-Newsletter
• A Coach-Specific Facebook Page for EA Accredited Coaches
• Planning for an Coaches Conference 2026
• Development of a comprehensive Coach CPD Plan for 2026

These initiatives are designed to strengthen communication, support professional growth, and ensure coaches have access to relevant tools and networks across Australia.

For further information or if you're interested in becoming an EA Accredited Coach, please reach out to Michelle at [email protected].