Meet the Coaches

Ashley Gudgeon

Ashley is an Osteopath, Strength & Conditioning Coach and speed specialist with extensive experience in athlete rehabilitation, performance development and high-performance sport.

His passion for speed development began through his own journey as a competitive junior sprinter, competing in the 100m, 200m and hurdles while growing up immersed in athletics through his father's coaching. This early exposure sparked a fascination with speed, movement efficiency and athletic performance that ultimately led him to pursue careers in both Osteopathy and performance coaching.

Throughout his career, Ashley has worked across both clinical and high-performance environments, developing a unique ability to bridge the gap between rehabilitation and performance. As former Head of Allied Health at Absolute Health & Performance and Co-Owner of Southside Rehab, he has helped athletes navigate every stage of their development—from injury management and return to play through to maximising performance at the highest level. He has worked with more than 100 professional AFL and AFLW athletes, alongside state, national and international-level performers across a range of sports.

As Co-Owner and Head Coach of The Speed Project, Ashley believes speed is a skill that can be developed through high-quality coaching, objective performance data and consistent exposure to the right training environment. His approach combines sprint biomechanics, strength and conditioning, athlete monitoring and clinical expertise to create individualised programs that develop faster, more resilient athletes. Central to this philosophy is athlete education, ensuring athletes understand not only what they are doing, but why they are doing it, empowering them to take ownership of their development and build long-term success both on and off the field.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Science (Clinical Science)

  • Master of Health Science (Osteopathy)

  • Athletics Coach – Athletics Australia

  • ALTIS - Essentias /, Need For Speed courses / Virtual Apprentice Coach Program

  • ASCA Level 1 Strength & Conditioning Coach

Experience:

  • Co-Owner – The Speed Project

  • Co-Owner – Southside Rehab

  • Former Head of Allied Health – Absolute Health & Performance

  • Coached 100+ profressional AFL and AFLW athletes

  • Coached athletes competing at State, National and International levels

  • Coached multiple Victorian Athletic League (VAL) sash winners

  • Extensive experience in rehabilitation, return-to-performance and long-term athletic development