Kristine Purcell
Kristine Purcell
Level 4 High Performance coach based in the Blue Mountains, with a strong focus on mentoring emerging female coaches. Kristine provides honest support, practical guidance and genuine encouragement, drawing on extensive experience across school, club, pathway and state team environments, and a coaching focus in sprints and middle distance.
Why I want to be a mentor
I am passionate about mentoring emerging female coaches because I know firsthand how powerful strong, supportive mentors can be. My mentors not only shaped my coaching, they helped me believe I belonged in high performance sport.
What I can offer mentee coaches
As a mentor, I aim to provide honest support, practical guidance and genuine encouragement, especially for women who may doubt their readiness for whatever coaching environment they work in. I believe deeply in helping female coaches grow with confidence, clarity and courage, while staying true to who they are.
Coaching qualifications and experience
- AA Level 4, High Performance Coach
- ASCA Level 2
- Head of Athletics and Athletics Coach at various NSW schools
- Australian Team Coach, Mini Pacific Games, 2025
- NSW State Relay Coach, NSW State Team Coach and Manager
- Australian Athletics NEXT Athletics coach education resource contributor
- Selected in Australian Athletics inaugural Women in High Performance Coaching Program, 2022 to 2024
- Mentee coach in Australian Athletics High Performance Coach Mentor Program
- Mentor coach in Australian Athletics and ASC Women Coaches Mentoring Programs
- Australian Athletics Advisory Group for Women in Coaching and Officiating, 2025 and 2026
- NSW FastTrack for Women in Sports program
- ASCA Women’s Scholarship, awarded due to research exploring youth involvement in sport promoting maximum involvement and engagement, conducted collaboratively with Australian Athletics, universities, and sporting school coaches
Other related experience
- Secondary school teacher
- Mentoring women in international business experience
- Professional director in live theatre
My squad and coaching journey
- Currently coaches approximately 60 athletes aged 10 to 24, including 23 national level athletes and five World U20 qualifiers
- Primary coaching areas are sprints and middle distance, with experience across hurdles, distance and jumps
- Has coached national champions, international medallists and pathway athletes across multiple disciplines
- Coaching journey began at club level 14 years ago, including roles as NSW State Relay Coach, NSW State Team Coach and Manager, and team coach at the Mini Pacific Games
- Worked across school, pathway and participation programs, and contributed to Australian Athletics and NEXT Athletics coach education resources
- Part of the Australian Athletics Women in High Performance Coaching community, the AA AIS and ASC Women’s Mentoring Programs, and currently serves on the Australian Athletics Advisory Group for Women in Coaching and Officiating
