Madeleine Fleming: taking the next step
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The future is looking bright for Madeleine Fleming.
One of 13 recipients of the recent ACT Government Elite Female Coaching Scholarships, Madeleine will be using her scholarship, worth up to $5000, to complete further training.
This isn’t just any training either. As Head Coach at the Woden Valley Swim Club, Madeleine says she’s been wanting to take this next step for a very long time.
“I’m currently classified as Development Coach and the next tier for me is the Advanced Accreditation,” says Madeleine.
“I’ve wanted to do it for years, but it just wasn’t feasible. It was expensive, you [have] to go interstate and it was only offered once a year. Because of this scholarship, I’m now able to do that.”
Madeleine explains that Advanced Accreditation will give her “more resources and a higher level of coaching knowledge” and allow her to take the next step in her career.
“I’m really excited because it’s formal recognition of your development that’s recognised by anyone when you step on a pool deck.”
Madeleine grew up swimming competitively herself and playing water polo, but it didn’t take long for her to step into the coach’s shoes.
While still in Year 12, Madeleine coached a Special Olympics team for their national games. While she had been a swim teacher as a teen, it was this experience that encouraged her to become a full-time swim coach.
Over the next few years, Madeleine underwent training, coaching master’s swimming and triathlon swimming, and eventually joined Woden Valley Swim Club, becoming the Head Coach in November 2018.
Madeleine learned about the Elite Female Coaching Scholarship through her Club President and, at first, didn’t think she had the criteria for it.
However, she decided to apply and was pleasantly surprised by the results.
“I think [Advanced Accreditation] will open up opportunities,” she says. “With more recognition, you can approach different people–there are fewer barriers which gives me confidence.”
“It’s empowering to know that I can go out there and seek these answers and that I’m asking valid questions.”
The future is looking bright for female coaches like Madeleine, with opportunities that come from scholarships like the Elite Female Coaching Scholarship just the beginning.
“I want to lead the rest of my team who are predominantly female and give them these opportunities as well and anyone else who is interested and wants to benefit,” says Madeleine. “The more collaboration the better.”
Madeleine credits her success to those who have supported her and says that when it comes to opportunities such as the Elite Female Coaching Scholarships, “if you see an opportunity, have a go, don’t say no, if you even entertained the idea, just have a go.”
The recipients of the Elite Female Coaching Scholarships 2019 are:
- Karen Breaden supported by Canberra Region and Community Rugby League
- Madeleine Fleming supported by Woden Valley Swim Club
- Kristol Pyke supported by Baseball Canberra
- Amanda Ingram supported by Touch Football ACT
- Ashley Kara supported by ACT and Southern NSW Rugby Union
- Sharon De La Rosa supported by Boxing ACT
- Karen Pon supported by Table Tennis ACT
- Lyndsey Simcoe supported by Netball ACT
- Suzan Fulop supported by ACT Athletics Association Inc
- Rebecca Maher and Erin Osborne supported by Cricket ACT
- Carly Wilson supported by UCX, University of Canberra Capitals
- Louise Burrows supported by the University of Canberra
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