From Sport to Support: Lessons That Shape My Work

Sport has been a big part of my life from a young age. Growing up, I played a variety of sports including rugby league, cricket, swimming, little athletics and waterskiing. Being involved in different activities helped me develop a strong appreciation for physical activity early on and taught me important lessons about teamwork, discipline and commitment.

As I got older, my focus shifted toward endurance sports, particularly triathlon and running. Training and competing at a high level required dedication, consistency and resilience. Through sport, I learned how to set goals, deal with setbacks and continue working towards long-term improvements.

One of the most memorable moments in my athletic journey came in 2022 when I represented Australia at the Junior World Championships in Montreal, Canada. Competing internationally was an incredible experience and something I am very proud of. It was the result of years of hard work and showed me how sport can build confidence, resilience and personal growth.

While I previously competed as a triathlete, I now focus mainly on running. Transitioning to running has allowed me to pursue new goals while continuing to challenge myself as an athlete.

My experiences in sport played a major role in my decision to study to become a PDHPE teacher. Through sport, I realised that physical activity is about more than competition. It supports physical health, mental wellbeing and confidence, and it can create a sense of belonging and achievement.

Studying PDHPE has helped me understand how important it is to create environments where everyone feels encouraged to participate and develop healthy habits. Alongside my studies, I also work as a disability support worker. This role has helped me develop patience, empathy and the ability to adapt activities so that people of different abilities can participate and feel supported.

The lessons I have learned through sport — such as goal setting, encouragement and persistence — are skills I use when supporting others. These experiences have shaped the way I view health, physical activity and education.

In the future, I hope to combine my background in sport, my studies in PDHPE and my experience supporting others to create positive and inclusive environments where people feel confident to participate in physical activity and develop lifelong healthy habits.