ALUMNI IN FOCUS | Beijing Olympian Jones hosts AOC's Wellbeing Week

The Australian Olympic Committee will be running its annual Wellbeing Week from the 7-11 September, hosted by 2008 Beijing Water Polo Olympian Amy Jones (nee Hetzel).

During her decorated career Jones formed part of the Aussie Stingers bronze medal winning at the Beijing Olympic Games and has since gone on to represent athletes on the Water Polo Australia and NSW Institute of Sport boards.

The AOC Wellbeing Week is designed to bring the discussion of wellbeing and support to the forefront, and Jones said she feels honoured to be involved, with the week.

“The athlete wellbeing space is an area that I am passionate about creating positive change in, and I’m thrilled to be involved with the AOC’s Wellbeing Week again this year,” Jones said.

“Taking time to focus on your passions, education, career, friendships, mental health and identity outside of sport will not only enhance wellbeing, but also improve performance as an athlete.

“I’m excited about the line-up this year featuring Olympic medalists and Australian celebrities, all with incredible experiences to share,” she said.

Wellbeing was certainly something Jones took the time to focus on during her playing career, and something she believes she has taken into her professional career.

“I had some pretty tough setbacks leading up to the Olympics (in Beijing) including broken ribs, a punctured lung…not to mention the pressure that comes with chasing Olympic selection,” Jones said.

“It taught me to be resilient – and that’s a skill that has held me in good stead for just about everything I’ve taken on since!”

Jones also took the time during her playing career to complete her studies, which helped set her up for a career after sport.

“I definitely experienced highs and lows during my transition out of elite sport – it’s a great leap when you go from such a structured, planned and largely predictable environment where you’re surrounded by your teammates,” Jones said.

“It can feel like you have to start all over again, establishing yourself in a new industry and starting from the beginning.

“I was grateful to have completed my university studies right before the Olympics, so I was in a great position to start a professional career and take on some new challenges when I retired.

Jones added that while having something to strive for after sport is important, so to is to fun as a junior athlete.

“Enjoy the best things that come with being a junior athlete – like playing and learning with your friends and travelling away as a team,” Jones said.

“I have such fond memories of my junior polo days playing for Queensland and wearing the maroon.

“But if there was one piece of advice that I would have for junior athletes it would have to be – be the team mate you would like to have. You may not always get picked in the starting line up, or score the winning goal, but be there for your teammates and support each other through the wins, and the losses.”