Can you provide an overview of your career journey so far?
After completing a Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise & Sport Science), I spent 8 years working at the GWS Giants in the AFL in the role of Sport Scientist, maximising the physical capacities of the athletes through evidence-based and data-driven approaches. From there, I moved into the NRL and spent 2 seasons at the Newcastle Knights, planning, monitoring and managing the training loads of the playing squad. After a decade in professional sport, I then transitioned into the sports tech industry with Catapult Sports as a Sports Science Consultant, dealing with all NRL & A-League clients, as well as the Australian Institute of Sport, universities and other research institutions. Whilst I was at Catapult I completed a Masters of Data Science, and then took up the role of Head of Sport Intelligence & Technology at the NSW Institute of Sport.
What is one highlight from your time working with the Institute of Sport?
The biggest highlight of working at NSWIS is working on a project with a particular athlete or sports program, and watching how the work we do has had an impact on improving the performance of the athletes - especially when that culminates in World Championship victories and Olympic medals.
What do you consider to be your most notable professional achievement, and why?
My proudest professional achievement comes from my time at GWS Giants. When I started there, we were the youngest team in the competition with a group of 17–18-year-olds competing against much more physically developed men. We took a sustainable and long-term approach to the physical development of our athletes, trusted the process even when it would have been easier to change course, and developed our side into one of the most physically dominant teams in the AFL over an 8-year span.
What advice can you give to our Hills Originals?
When an opportunity arises, always say "yes" - even if it's not exactly what you've dreamed of doing, you never know where it will take you and what doors it will open up.
What are you currently focused on in your career? Could you share what you’re most excited about for the future?
Currently, I'm focussed on utilising data to give NSW based athletes the greatest chance of qualifying for, and ultimately winning medals at, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The Olympics and Paralympics are the key benchmark event that NSWIS works towards, and with that only coming around every 4 years, it's always an exciting time when they're approaching. I'm also really excited to see the way advancements in data analytics techniques and AI can be used to further maximise the capabilities of athletes to produce performances that were previously not thought to be possible.
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