Australian Sailing has appointed Jessica Lundh as the new Performance Pathways Manager, leveraging her extensive experience in high-performance sport, coaching, education, and athlete development.
Lundh’s background encompasses international competition, coaching, and leadership roles, providing her with a deep understanding of the athlete journey from grassroots participation to Olympic campaigning. In her new role, she will lead the strategic direction and operational management of the Performance Pathways program, aiming to support athletes as they transition from club and youth sailing to the Australian Performance Pathways program. This position is vital for identifying and nurturing future Olympic talent through a comprehensive Athlete Development Framework.
A former athlete of the Australian Sailing Team, Lundh competed in the Women’s Match Racing class, representing Australia at the London 2012 Olympic Games and achieving numerous podium finishes at World Championships and World Cup events. Her firsthand experience within the pathway equips her with insights into the challenges and opportunities athletes face.
After her competitive career, Lundh continued her involvement in the sport as an Australian Sailing Senior Coach and national program leader, spearheading the development and expansion of SailLAB, a STEM education initiative aligned with Australian Sailing’s curriculum.
Before joining Australian Sailing, Lundh worked as a senior science teacher, cultivating strong relationships with students and parents and supporting young people’s development. This background enhances her commitment to a people-first approach in athlete and coach development.
Expressing her enthusiasm for the role, Lundh stated, “Australia has an incredible history of producing world-class sailors, and I’m excited to play a role in supporting the next generation. Strong pathways are built through collaboration, and I look forward to working closely with our athletes, coaches, performance support team, clubs, and class associations to continue building on the excellent work already undertaken.”
She added, “The Athlete Development Framework provides a clear vision for how we develop athletes, and I’m passionate about ensuring it is embedded throughout the pathway so that every athlete has the opportunity to develop with confidence, enjoy the journey, and achieve their potential.”
Australian Sailing’s High Performance Director, Iain Brambell, noted that Lundh’s extensive experience makes her well-suited to lead the next phase of the Performance Pathways program. Brambell remarked, “I love the fact we are welcoming another AST alumna back into the high performance program. Jess has firsthand lived experience within our pathway, giving her a deep understanding of what athletes and coaches need to succeed at every stage of their journey, and we’re excited to welcome Jess into this important leadership role.”
Australian Sailing also expressed gratitude to Haylee Outteridge, who is stepping away from the role after 18 months, acknowledging her significant contributions to the organisation. Brambell stated, “Haylee has made a significant contribution to Australian Sailing throughout her time as an athlete, coach, and leader. As High Performance Pathways Manager, she has played an instrumental role in shaping and strengthening our Performance Pathways program, helping to create greater clarity, alignment, and connection across the athlete development pathway. We thank Haylee for her dedication and commitment and wish her every success in her future endeavours.”
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About Australian Sailing
Australian Sailing is the governing body for the sport of Sailing in Australia. We are responsible for the administration, promotion and development of sailing. We are a member-based organisation that represent the interests and provides services and support to over 360 clubs across Australia as well as more than 160 accredited Discover Sailing Centres.
The Australian Sailing Team is the national representative team for Olympic-class sailing, bringing together Australia’s elite athletes and rising stars through a unified high-performance pathway within Australian Sailing.
Lisa Darmanin – Australian Sailing Team Communications & Brand Lead
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