Athletes are naturally driven to seek a competitive edge, and many are extending that mindset beyond sport, using their time between training to focus on personal growth and career development.
Over the summer, Paris Olympian and WNBA player Kristy Wallace spent her time volunteering and taking short courses to help plan for her post-basketball career.
She is now encouraging others to take the same initiative and use their downtime to embrace opportunities for growth.
“This summer, I was able to take a break from my sport, which allowed me to explore, up-skill, and rest my mind and body from elite sport,” Wallace said.
“I think it is super important for athletes to continue to develop themselves more holistically, tap into the resources provided by their sport, and find a way to develop themselves throughout each stage of their athletic career.”
Supporting both the athletic and professional ambitions of athletes is a key priority of Australia's High Performance 2032+ Sport Strategy.
It recognises sport and education as a winning mix for well-rounded individuals, improved performance and post-retirement success.
Athletes looking to take the first steps may want to consider enrolling in online courses, attending webinars or networking sessions, seeking work experience or building up their personal brand.
They can also explore the athlete personal development opportunities offered by the AIS or email career_and_education@ausport.gov.au for career practitioner support.
