Wednesday 8 March marks International Women’s Day and as a sport is an opportunity to celebrate the incredible women in diving in Australia, past and present. 

One of the women leading the way for diving in Australia is Vyninka Arlow.

As an athlete, Vyninka enjoyed a decorated career, including competing at two Olympic Games (Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996) and winning a Commonwealth Games gold medal in 1998.

Following her career as an athlete, Vyninka switched her attention to coaching where she turned her love for the sport into a successful career.

In 2018, Vyninka was appointed Diving Australia’s National Pathway Coach, a role in which she has continued to flourish over the past five years.

Throughout her career as both an athlete and coach, Vyninka has seen the landscape for women in sport change.

“‘You need to see it to be it’ is one of my favourite quotes,” Vyninka said.

“100% of male athletes have had a male coaching role model during their career…young women deserve the same.

“It is fantastic that now, as a sport, we have a high level of female coaches in every centre across the country, which is a huge step forward.

“I started my career as an athlete with a female coach, and she is still like a mother figure to me to this day.

“Females have worked very hard to get to where we are today, and I can’t wait to see the next national coach or Olympic diving coach that is a female.

One thing that hasn’t changed for Vyninka though, is the honour of being a female in sport.

“I’m so proud to be a woman in sport, especially at this amazing time in our lives where things are really trying to change,” Vyninka said.

“I hope to be a big part of that change to make things better for all the women and girls who come after me.

In her role as National Pathway Coach, Vyninka works closely with the next generation of divers, helping them to pursue their own Olympic and Commonwealth Games dreams.

But Vyninka has also taken the opportunity to create a mentoring group of female diving coaches, to empower each other and share knowledge.

“When the Gen2032 coaches started, I thought we should have a space to chat, and ask questions,” Vyninka said.

“Given we are all so spread out, I thought it was important to stay connected so we started an online mentoring group.

“We meet every Friday and it has become very important for us all - we have guests come in and speak sometimes or we just chat about the highs and lows of our roles.

“It’s so great to see women empowering women, as we all work passionately to help inspire the next generation,” she said.

When it comes to words of advice for females looking to get involved in coaching, it’s simple.

“Be the person you wanted when you were an athlete…be kind and be fierce,” she said.