Super stars of sport get qualified at the Institute

Posted on Tuesday 16th Mar 10

Over 100 elite athletes and sports stars from the AFL, NRL, Super 14 Rugby and A-League soccer have completed their Master Trainer qualifications through the Australian Institute of Fitness Elite Athlete program.

“Studying to become a personal trainer was always something I wanted to do and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it”, says ex-NRL player, David Kidwell, explaining why he enrolled in the Elite Athlete program.

Alongside his part-time coaching job at the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Kidwell is in the process of opening his own personal training studio in Sydney’s inner city suburb of Darlinghurst.

“I’ve always loved keeping myself fit and it is something I thought I could transfer to others as a personal trainer,” he says.

 “The program has given me the whole package – not just fitness knowledge but also how to be a successful trainer.”

Kidwell explains that the Elite Athlete program, which combines Certificate III and Certificate IV in Fitness, gave him the skills he needed to listen and communicate effectively with clients.

“I’ve got a client who is lacking in confidence and a bit overweight and at the same time a professional athlete who wants to be pushed to his limit. It is through the course that I have learnt how to adapt my training and communication styles to suit the personality of each of these very different clients.”

Kicking goals

Athletes like Kidwell also benefit from the support and encouragement they receive throughout the course from an Australian Institute of Fitness representative. They have a choice of studying on campus, where they can be absorbed into the regular class structure, or they can complete the course online through the Institute’s eCampus.

“We deliver not only qualifications, but also the support mechanism and flexibility to ensure our athletes have everything they need to complete their training”, says Australian Institute of Fitness Careers Captain, Darren Wrigley.

NRL National Player Education Manager, Paul Heptonstall, agrees: “the Institute has always been proactive in ensuring the players have the best opportunity to graduate.”

“They follow up the player’s progression and really try to help them finish. It’s not always easy for players to fit in study around training and travel, so this support mechanism is invaluable.”

Getting over the finish line

Placing athletes into employment in the fitness industry after they graduate is another important focus of the Elite Athlete program. One of the benefits the Institute has brought to sporting organisations like the NRL and AFL is that they have been able to help find jobs for their players.

“As soon as they are qualified, the athlete is placed into our Career Partnership program and from here they are found either a full-time or part-time role in the fitness industry”, says Wrigley.

“Balancing work or study with a sports career is an important requirement for today’s athletes – junior players often have an educational component as part of their contract and are expected to fit in a certain number of works hours per week in addition to their training, promotional and media events.”

The Career Partnership program, which runs nationally, engages hundreds of employers, large or small, indoor or outdoor. It takes away the onus from sporting bodies to have to find employment for their athletes by providing an open door to employers keen to hire motivated sportspeople.

Players who enter the Elite Athlete program come from both ends of the spectrum – those aspiring to be professional athletes and those in the back end of their professional careers looking to set themselves up for life after sport. Depending on their needs, they can be placed in a full-time role, part-time role or given assistance setting up their own business.

“There are around 40 Parramatta NRL players who have completed the Elite Athlete program over the last year who are now working in their region in fitness clubs,” says Wrigley.

“It’s great to see our young sportspeople and veteran athletes contributing their skills and talent to the fitness industry, and at the same time setting themselves up with a future career path.”

Twenty-one year-old Ben Coridas is a rugby union player with the NSW Waratahs Super 14 squad, and is currently completing the Elite Athlete program online through the Institute’s eCampus. We asked Ben what he likes about the course:

“Having it on the computer makes it easier to fit in around training. There are two of us in the team doing the course so we either study together at the club or in our spare time at home.

“I also like that what I learn through eCampus I can put straight into practice with my footie training. It helps with my gym work because now I am beginning to understand what muscles to work and why.

“I can’t get away with slacking off from my study because the Institute sends me updates all the time and calls to see if I need any help. It’s good because if I haven’t done any study for a week it motivates me to get back into it.

“When I finish the program I’m hoping to be able to get some part time work in the fitness industry.”