SUPPORT NETWORKS HELP STINGERS TO FIND BALANCE IN DUAL CAREERS

A constant juggling act is reality for many elite athletes, working hard to balance their sport and professional career.

It’s something that Aussie Stingers Genevieve Longman and Elle Armit admit wouldn’t be possible without their extended support networks.

Both Longman and Armit are members of the current Aussie Stingers squad that are preparing for the upcoming World Championships selection along with the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on the horizon. 

As part of National Careers Week, Armit and Longman are sharing their stories.

“I'm a qualified lawyer and currently work as the National Integrity and Complaints Officer at Equestrian Australia, and I am also acting in the role as Water Polo Australia’s Alumni Coordinator,” said Longman.

“My support networks are what makes it possible for me to pursue both my sporting goals and career aspirations.

“I was very fortunate through my studies to be part of the University of Technology Sydney’s Elite Athlete Program, which supported my sporting and academic goals.

“I would never have been able to study full time and train if they weren’t accommodating and open to moving assessments or changing my timetable when required.

“I feel very grateful to have people in my professional network who act as mentors to me and I have been able to lean on for advice. There are also lots of people within water polo who have done this before, and I have been fortunate to have many of them share advice and wisdom with me.

“I also feel very lucky to have an incredible support network in my family and friends,” she said.

Armit, a qualified secondary school teacher, said she’s grateful to the support she receives from her school in Brisbane.

“Due to the nature of being an elite athlete, I am only doing supply teaching at the moment, covering a diverse range of subjects for years 5 to 12,” Armit said.

“Without the assistance of my school, St Joseph's College Gregory Terrace, I wouldn’t be able to have the teaching opportunities that I’ve been given.

“They are understanding of my unpredictable schedule, and are very supportive of my sporting goals as well.

“My family has also been a huge support network for me, supporting me from day one with unwavering belief and encouragement,” she said.

Whether they’re in a training camp or overseas playing, Armit says she’s working hard to perfect the balancing act which is something she now understands as being an important part of her life.

“I think it’s very important for elite athletes to balance their careers and sport,” Armit said.

“Personally, if my life is too unbalanced, I get bogged down and can’t see the bigger picture.

“When my life has a good balance, I’m able to have perspective and not get caught up in the little things. I believe sport helps as a distraction from work, and vice versa,” she said.

As water polo is a team sport, the  Aussie Stingers are always working together in and out of the pool. Those are the very skills Longman said that help her in her professional career as well.

“Working in a team and knowing how to work collaboratively with different people to achieve a common goal…this is applicable in the workplace and in sport,” Longman siad.

“Another skill that I’ve taken from the pool to my career is to have a growth mindset…focused on continuously learning and challenging yourself.

“It’s the same as in training, you need to be open to learning and trying new skills to get better,” she said.

Longman will be the first to admit that at times it’s not easy, but certainly doable with the right routines in place.

“It might sound cliche but it is about being organised, managing your time effectively and communicating with your employer,” Longman said.

“I am very fortunate to have a supportive employer who allows me to have flexibility so I can work remotely on tour and outside of traditional office hours.

“When I know I have a tour coming up or a really busy time with water polo I manage this by communicating and forward planning so I can deal with any issues early before they become a big problem,” she said.