Champions Program: Our Champions

Chloe Dalton

Rugby 7s and AFLW

Olympic Gold Medallist, Triple Sport Athlete and Change Maker.

What she’s known for in the sporting arena

Chloe is one of Australia’s few triple sport elite athletes. After playing basketball in the WNBL with the Sydney Uni Flames, Chloe transitioned to Rugby, where she debuted for the Australian Rugby 7s team in 2014. At the Rio 2016 Olympics, Dalton won Gold with the Australian 7s team and was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for Service to Sport. She was also recognised as Australia’s top Rugby 7s player in 2017, winning the Shawn Mackay Medal. Chloe then crossed codes again to Aussie rules, making her debut in 2019 for Carlton in the AFLW, playing in the Grand Final in front of a crowd of 53,000. She was recently named Runner-Up in the Carlton Best and Fairest Awards for the 2020 AFLW season. Chloe is currently training with the Aussie 7s Team in Sydney in preparation for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. 

But she’s much more than an athlete

In 2017, Chloe graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy). After moving to Melbourne early in 2018, she worked part-time as a Physiotherapist whilst playing AFLW. Chloe has a particular interest in neurological physiotherapy, supporting those affected by stroke, Parkinson’s Disease and brain injuries. Chloe enjoys sharing her story, insights and passions as an ambassador and in the media, with a particular focus on embracing change, high performance and gender equality. 

Chloe has a unique story to tell on these key themes, and how they can be applied to business and performance

Adapting to Change 

Having played three sports at the highest level, Chloe understands this better than most. While playing in her second season in the WNBL, she thought about her dream to win Olympic gold. After typing into Google ‘list of Olympic sports’, Chloe found Rugby 7s, and two years later won gold in Rio. Chloe is a firm believer in putting yourself in challenging situations in order to achieve at the highest level. 

High Performance 

Going into the 2016 Olympics, Australia were favourites to win gold. Hours of preparation had given them confidence. During the anthem before the gold medal match against New Zealand, the Aussie team were relaxed and confident, embracing the spotlight. The results showed. Chloe shares how teams can learn to thrive in high pressure situations. 

Resilience 

In the lead up to the Rio Olympics, Chloe fractured her arm three times in the space of 12 months. Her dream was in jeopardy. Chloe uses this example to explain the importance of mindset, and using lost opportunities as a chance to develop other strengths. 

Diversity and Inclusion 

Chloe is passionate about an equitable future for all women, and has been an ambassador for Our Watch and Carlton Respects, programs that aim to promote gender equality and prevent domestic violence. Chloe has recently launched her new podcast, the [female] athlete project, where she chats to and shares the stories of fellow elite female athletes.