Kaarle McCulloch to return home in sprint coaching roles with Queensland Academy of Sport and AusCycling

AusCycling and the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) are delighted to announce the appointment and homecoming of Kaarle McCulloch as its track cycling sprint coach in Queensland from late August.

Beyond her immediate position as the QAS track cycling sprint coach, McCulloch will lead a nationwide role in developing Australia’s women’s team sprint ahead of the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games, Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.

The four-time world champion and dual-Olympian retired from racing following the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021 after a 15-year career as one of the world’s best alongside teammates Anna Meares and Stephanie Morton.

McCulloch’s natural coaching acumen and teaching background quickly saw her join British Cycling and the Great Britain Cycling Team as its Podium Women’s Sprint Coach in April 2022, where she has delivered impressive results in a short space of time.

The St George Cycling Club product will continue in her role with the Great Britain Cycling Team through the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships in August before returning to Australia.

McCulloch said she was pleased to be returning home following a whirlwind 18 months with the Great Britain Cycling Team.

“Moving countries was very challenging and my partner and I faced some difficulties that made it challenging to balance family and work commitments,” McCulloch said.

“I have learnt an incredible amount about myself as a coach during my time with British Cycling and I’m thankful for the opportunity that was provided to me.

“I return confident in my coaching philosophy, and I look forward to working with the new generation blossoming in Queensland as well as the staff at the QAS, whom I know to be excellent as I prepared for my own Olympic campaign there prior to Tokyo.

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“I also look forward to reinvigorating the women’s sprint pathway as we head towards Victoria 2026 and LA 2028 and developing the budding talent into a formidable team.”

AusCycling Executive General Manager – Performance, Jesse Korf, said it was incredibly exciting to welcome Kaarle back home.

“We are very passionate about bringing a women’s team sprint back to prominence over the next period given our rich history in the sport,” Korf said.

“Kaarle will play a fundamental role in this as we build towards a competitive team at future benchmark events.”

QAS Executive Director, Performance Programs, Shaun Stephens said the QAS team looks forward to working with Kaarle in Brisbane.

“Queensland has a strong group of young male sprint cyclists now and we are eager, along with her future colleagues at AusCycling, to support the continued growth of women's sprinting,” Stephens said.

Feature image: Getty Images/Dean Mouhtaropoulos