FAST Running is proud to announce the appointment of Dr Marijke Welvaert as our new FAST Females Lead Coach, following her completion of the Australian Athletics Coaching Accreditation.
In a sporting landscape where female representation in coaching and leadership remains limited — particularly in Canberra — this milestone matters. FAST has long championed participation, opportunity, and leadership in sport. Marijke’s formal accreditation strengthens not only our coaching ranks, but the broader movement toward greater female visibility and influence in athletics.
But qualifications alone do not define her value.
Marijke brings a rare blend of elite sport science, strategic thinking, and genuine care for athlete wellbeing. She has co-authored more than 50 Australian Sport Commission High Performance papers, contributing to national conversations around data, performance systems, and athlete development. Her expertise in sport analytics and evidence-based practice ensures FAST remains at the forefront of innovation.
Within FAST Running, Marijke currently leads Athlete Intelligence & Female Athlete Development — shaping how we use data, monitoring, and insight to guide training decisions and enhance performance environments. She has played a key role in developing our performance dashboards, refining our inclusive coaching approaches, and strengthening the support systems around our athletes.
Now, she extends that impact directly onto the track.
As FAST Females Lead Coach, Marijke will provide dedicated leadership and mentorship for our female athletes, while continuing to contribute across the broader FAST Performance structure. She is not limited to one group — but when FAST Females need focused guidance, strategic oversight, and a coach who understands the science and the lived experience of female sport, she will be there.
Diversity in coaching does more than increase representation.
It increases perspective.
More eyes. More ideas. Better decisions.
And ultimately — better outcomes for athletes.
FAST Running continues to grow and evolve. Our programs expand. Our standards rise. Our commitment to science, education, and world-class practice deepens.
Through it all, one principle remains constant:
Athletes First.
With Marijke stepping further into the coaching ranks, the future of FAST Females — and FAST Running as a whole — is stronger than ever.
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