Parramatta RSL helps develop athletes on and off the field!
Media Release
Thursday 24th June, 2010
Parramatta RSL helps develop athletes on and off the field!
The funding of sports and sports persons through the public and private sectors nowadays is also big business, but it’s often a struggle to reach that level. From this the question that naturally arises is if not all emerging athletes can earn livings through the practice of their sports, what do they do?
Parramatta RSL is helping athletes as part of The NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) and ClubsNSW initiative ‘Employ an Athlete’ program.
Parramatta RSL has recently employed Shannon Jones as part of this new initiative. Shannon Jones is a member of the under 20s Australian Water Polo Team. Shannon has been a member of the NSW Institute of sport and the Australia Waterpolo team since 2007. Water polo is one of the most physically demanding team games, and requires top performers to cover up to three kilometers in the pool during the one hour it takes to complete a game. This exertion is quite apart from the physical contact, both above and below the surface of the water that players must endure. Despite this, the sport is almost totally devoid of injury from personal contact and generally speaking is played in the spirit demanded by the stringent rules.
Warren Glenny, President of Parramatta RSL said, “Parramatta RSL is very proud and excited to be part of this new initiative. Parramatta RSL is committed to helping athletes develop both on and off the field”.
ClubsNSW CEO, Anthony Ball said, “Clubs offer athletes both flexible work hours and a diverse range of potential positions from which post sporting careers can develop. There are very few industries that can offer the variety of potential positions that a club does. Everything from accountancy to landscaping to culinary skills to working as a gym instructor are possible when you work at your local club. It’s very difficult for an elite athlete to consider a career after sport because so much of their time is consumed with focusing on their sport. By experiencing a multitude of positions at the club, athletes are also able to become more balanced individuals and I expect, more appreciative of their sporting career”.
The Employ an Athlete Program is a joint initiative between ClubsNSW and the NSWIS that was developed to provide NSWIS athletes with career options outside of their sporting careers. By offering flexible employment opportunities to elite athletes across NSW, registered clubs have assisted many athletes achieve the necessary balance between sport and work while equipping athletes for life after sport. By nature of their high achievement in sport, NSWIS athletes are dedicated, committed, goal oriented, efficient time managers and excellent communicators – all great skills when looking for a staff member.
Clubs that have taken advantage of the program have soon discovered that having an NSWIS athlete on staff can provide additional benefits including mentoring of the younger team members and the opportunity for their club members to talk about sport with an elite athlete.