National Careers Week: Kylie Whitehead
As part of National Careers Week, Right at Home Jackaroo Kylie Whitehead sat down with Bowls Australia’s (BA) Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement Manager Bill Riddiford to discuss her career as a physiotherapist, as well as how she transfers her skills between her two careers.
How important is it for elite athletes to balance their careers and sport?
I think having an interest outside of your sport is very important because it can provide you with a good distraction from the demands of your sport, and once your sporting career has finished you know have something you can continue with and enjoy.
How do you maintain work/study while competing or on tour?
I am extremely fortunate that I have a super supportive employer who allows me to have time off when needed, so I am incredibly lucky that I don’t have to worry about work while I am competing. Building a good professional relationship with your boss or whoever you work with is so important if you want to pursue a sporting career, and having more people supporting you and in your corner is always a positive thing.
What are some of the skills you have developed through your sport that are transferrable to your career away from sport?
I think meeting a variety of different people and getting to know them in bowls has allowed me to build good rapport with my patients as a physiotherapist. Most bowlers do know how to have a chat, so that has provided me with good communication skills. I also think resilience is a skill that bowls has taught me and when you are having a tough day at work, you know you can push through and get the job done.
What are you working on to develop your skills and knowledge for a career away from sport?
I have been a physiotherapist for five years now and I am always learning. My aim is to continue to learn and improve my skills and provide people with the best care possible.
Can you share what you are enjoying about your current study or work?
I love so many aspects of my work. Meeting and getting to know a variety of people from all walks of life, learning skills such as dry needling and pilates are things I have really enjoyed, and I have been lucky to work in businesses with a really great team and awesome colleagues and build great friendships from them.
What experience have you gained in the last 12 months to support your career away from sport?
As mentioned above, I have completed my pilates and dry needling courses, and have been able to put my new skills into practice and help my patients get great results.
Can you share how your confidence has grown from your part time/full time work, study, volunteer roles?
You are always learning and growing as a physio, and each experience provides with more confidence knowing you can handle tricky situations and strengthen your skills for future challenges.
What’s a tip you could give other athletes thinking of studying, working, volunteering whilst still training and competing?
I would encourage people to find something that they have a genuine interest in and pursue it however they can. There are so many options for study these days so you can balance your sport and study. Think about your future and start planning for it, because sport doesn’t last forever.
