AWI Breeding Leadership
AWI Breeding Leadership is a national program to develop the leadership and professional skills for young people in all facets of the wool industry, and forms a key part of AWI’s commitment to people in the wool industry.
Applications for AWI Breeding Leadership 2027 will be open soon.
AWI Breeding Leadership 2027 will be held in Clare, SA from Monday, 15–Friday, 19 February 2027.
Since its inception, more than 250 people have completed the Breeding Leadership course.
2026 was the 11th time the five-day course was delivered. The week covers a range of topics including strategy (understanding your business and industry), understanding yourself (personality typing), working in teams (accountability, communicating expectations, decision making) and the future (entrepreneurship, innovation and managing change). There is also full day bus tour to allow participants the opportunity to visit local leaders in a range of agricultural industries.
"I loved the diversity of the topics but how well they blended together was brilliant and kept everything moving through well. Thank you so much for this week! It’s been brilliant!"
- Lara Mitchell from NSW – AWI Breeding Leadership 2026 participant
"The content and networking was equally valuable. The program was really well thought out, relevant for young producers, lots of new information and tools I can implement across my family business, my board and local committee roles and my full time research role. The topics flowed really well from one thing to the other, made it easy to tie together learnings and the reflection time after each section and active group discussions were fantastic. Everyone being open and honest was great to understand what challenges everyone faces and how they tackle them."
- Brittany Bolt from WA – AWI Breeding Leadership 2026 participant
The program develops skills and knowledge in personal leadership as well as strategic planning and team leadership. It also provides an excellent opportunity for participants to network with other like-minded people from across Australia, as well as the skilled program deliverers and leaders from the wool industry.
Established in 2002 by South Australian Stud Merino Breeders Association, Breeding Leadership became a national program through the Australian Association of Stud Merino Breeders in 2004. Since 2012, AWI has funded the course.
Why participate in AWI Breeding Leadership?
Check out the video below to hear from past participants about what they think is so great about AWI Breeding Leadership.
For more information, contact:
Emily King
National Extension Manager
0437 523 036
