Graduate Success

Profile

I chose ACPE as they had a great reputation for providing quality education in the sporting industry. ACPE has an elite athlete friendly program which gave me the flexibility and support to succeed in both my studies and my professional rugby league career.  I was able to use a mix of both online and face to face learning which was important to me as someone who juggles a lot of other commitments.

Tell me about your sporting career and the assistance that ACPE provided?

I have been a Professional rugby league player for 14 years. The flexibility of the courses at ACPE and the friendly and helpful staff meant that I not only furthered my education in the sporting industry but was made to feel like a family member. Student services bent over backwards to assist me in any way they could, and no job was too big or too small for them. The support I received at ACPE was what really stood out for me.

How did you enjoy your time at ACPE? 

I loved sharing stories and spending time with the friendly staff. The ACPE offers some fantastic extracurricular activities that really make you feel a part of the group and enforces the College spirit.

What have you done since graduating from ACPE? What is your position at your current employment?

I retired from professional rugby league with the Penrith Panthers in 2010 and went on to join the Penrith Panthers as their Education and Welfare Manager. I see studying as an important part of ensuring a career after professional sport.

What does your role entail?

My current role involves managing the relocation of players and ensuring players at the Penrith Panthers are undertaking study to better shape their careers. I need to ensure a balance of mandatory courses as well as studies that players have personally requested.

It is my job to strategically plan and implement systems, procedures and protocols to assist in the education and personal development of the players at the Penrith Panthers Rugby League Club.

Can you tell me about the passion you have in your current employment?

Career and Welfare Manager at the Penrith Panthers is the perfect role for me. Having recently retired from rugby league, I am able to use my experiences as a player and couple them with the knowledge and skills that I have attained from my studies at ACPE. I am able to incorporate and utilise my skills in everything I do with the Panthers.

Any other comments?

I would thoroughly recommend ACPE for any athlete who would like to develop their career through study. ACPE understood the demands of combining study with sport and they were able to develop a study program that suited me which meant I could achieve both my study goals and my sporting goals.

Profile

I had always wanted to pursue a career in sport, and in a field where I was not entrenched at a desk from 9 to 5. ACPE not only provided the right course for me, but also the flexibility that allowed me to honour my commitment to sport alongside (and in some cases at the expense of) school. That commitment also meant that my UAI/ATAR didn't really reflect where I stood. In addition, the scholarship program allowed me to be a full-time up front payment student which would otherwise have not been possible.

What is your most vivid memory of ACPE?

The fantastic atmosphere around the College. I had and still have great friends from ACPE and if you ask anyone who attended the College when I was there they would tell you that everyone knew everyone and the staff were like friends as opposed to figureheads. I recently came back to the College to attend the pre-graduation ceremony for this year's coaching course graduates with two other people who I graduated with, and we all made the comment that day how comfortable we were coming back in, and how welcomed we were made to feel by people like KerryAnne Copperfield, Kellie Vernon, David Maxwell, and also Scott Dickson to name a few.

The best thing about your Degree was … ?

It is very rare to have a Degree tailored so much to what people need and then can have career paths clearly mapped out for them as a result. This trend will only strengthen, with increased networks, and the public's greater awareness of the strength of knowledge in each graduate's desired field. 

Life after ACPE

Since leaving College I have furthered my sporting career beyond my wildest dreams; I am currently away in Zimbabwe playing cricket in a One-Day International Tri-Series for Australia A against Zimbabwe and South Africa, immediately followed by two Four-day "Unofficial Tests" against Zimbabwe. As well, I have signed with the NSW SpeedBlitz Blues for 3 years and have played a major role in the Sheffield Shield and One-Day competitions.

I have also furthered my studies, completing a Masters of International Sports Management and Marketing at Southern Cross University. Additionally, I have developed my own business from the ground up with my fiance - Kimberlee Green who plays netball for Australia Diamonds and NSW Swifts. I run cricket clinics and coaching whilst Kim runs netball clinics during the school holidays. And I have started my on Web/Print Design business called "Copeland Designs", all of which can be found at www.trentcopeland.com.au and www.kimgreen.com.au

Could you expand on your interest in the business side?

Business is something that I have developed an interest in since leaving Uni. I had always coached cricket and had an interest in designing things graphically. I guess when Kim and I decided we wanted to run this business parallel to our playing careers, we needed to figure it out for ourselves and I took it upon myself to develop our websites and through trial and error have come up with some slick and simple designs which we are very happy with. And the administrative or practical sides of our business are run through our passion for the sport. As people often say "it's easy to do things when you have an interest or a passion for them!"

Trent Copeland Cricket Clinics & Copeland Designs - www.trentcopeland.com.au

Kim Green Netball Clinics - www.kimgreen.com.au

Profile

I have always been very active and played sport since I can remember, with my parents being involved in Rugby Coaching & Aerobics Instructing as hobbies. Never did I dream that I would be able to make a living and career out of something I love so much.

After attempting an Interior Architecture Degree at UNSW and undergoing my first shoulder reconstruction, I realised that maybe sport was more than just a hobby for me. After much debate and a few years of travel, I found out about ACPE. I was so impressed with what it had to offer; the smaller size meant I was treated as a person rather than a Uni ID number and the 'hands-on, practical' learning approach was the biggest seller for me. I signed up immediately after my first tour and interview to begin the coaching Degree.

What is your most vivid memory of ACPE?

There is a great 'vibe' about the college, right from when you walk in the front entrance. The staff are friendly and they genuinely want to help you. The Lecturers and Tutors go above and beyond their duty to see you succeed and get the most out of your years at ACPE. The students are friendly and eager to learn and be challenged. All in all it was an enjoyable and invaluable 3 years.

What were the three best things at ACPE?

The 3 best things about ACPE were definitely -

1. Size - ACPE is considerably smaller than most Universities. You get the one-on-one attention needed to really succeed and prepare you for the 'real world'. It also means that your contribution to the College is greater, so it worked both ways.
2. The People - The staff and students at ACPE are such an asset. I have made some lifelong friends and contacts.
3. The Facilities - Having access to the Olympic Park is a unique advantage for anyone with the love of health and sport. I found it very inspiring to study there - you know it's a place of outstanding athletes!

What were the best thing about your Degree?

Being a lover of sport, I am a very practical and hands-on person who needs to keep active, both physically and mentally. I found the HUGE practical components involved in the assessments something I looked forward to rather than dreaded. It is very true that 'If you can physically do something then you will learn it; if you can then teach someone that skill, then you know it forever.' This is what ACPE and the coaching Degree did best! 

What have you done since graduating from ACPE?

After completing my Degree in 2007 I decided to further my study and branch out into Personal Training. I continued my education, completing a Certificate IV in Personal Training (FIA); Strength and Conditioning Coach Level 1; Certificate III in Fitness (FIA), and various other coaching and fitness qualifications. Most of these were through RPL due to the extensive knowledge I had from ACPE. I set up FDB Fitness & Coaching, an outdoor PT / Health & Fitness / Coaching business in Sydney 2 years ago, and now enjoy a mix of one-on-one clients, groups sessions, and corporate groups. I am always looking to further my knowledge and keep growing within the industry, with an MBA next on the list.

Can you talk about the passion you have for business?

I started this business with the desire to share my passion, knowledge, and expertise of fitness to motivate others to reach their health and fitness goals and live a happier, healthier life as a result! I am motivated and enthused by seeing improvements in our clients and believe everyone deserves to be healthy. Getting up at 5am everyday has its challenges but there is nothing more rewarding than knowing that no-one else is making you do it. So what started out as my hobby is now my career.

Check out the FDB Fitness & Coaching website for more details.

Profile

I started at the Australian College of Physical Education in 1993 after leaving Shore School in 1992. The Physical Education degree sounded like the thing for me as I had always been heavily involved in sports such as rowing and rugby. ACPE at that stage was based in Croydon and I think our intake was about 60. There were four intakes per year.

The flexibility of the courses allowed me to continue rowing and playing rugby. In 1994 I was given the opportunity of a lifetime when asked to join the staff of SCECGS Redlands as Head of Rowing. Having obviously not completed my degree, the then Headmaster of ACPE, Peter Cornish, gave me a wonderful opportunity.

What have you done since graduating from ACPE?

I worked in the Physical Education Department at SCECGS Redlands for six years teaching PD/H/PE whilst Head of Rowing, and coaching and managing various junior and senior rugby teams at the school. In 1999 I was approached to join the Redlands Foundation. At that time I had not heard of the Foundation and didn’t realise that various vital administrative support mechanisms exist within the framework of most large independent schools.

In 2003 I became Development Manager of the Foundation at SCECGS Redlands. The school had embarked upon a large redevelopment program and this involved raising funds from the school community. We raised $1.2 million for the Schools Capital Campaign. These funds were generated from the goodwill of the parent population. The vast majority of my time was spent launching a Capital Appeal to raise funds for the redevelopment of the Preparatory School, student recreation areas, and the rebuilding of the senior campus hall. We were also involved with school reunions and encouraging and building relationships with the alumni. Once again I was given a wonderful opportunity to broaden my professional experience.

After 10 years at SCECGS Redlands I left and, in 2005, I joined the staff of SCEGGS Darlinghurst, this time as the Director of Development. As Director of Development I spent most of my time launching the school’s diverse fundraising strategies – annual giving programs, bequest programs, new building programs, and community relations development. I worked closely with the alumni relations, registrars, and community relations departments.

What is your position with Steve Waugh Foundation?

There is no doubt that my many years in sport have placed me in good stead for taking opportunities when they arise. Today I am CEO of the Steve Waugh Foundation, which is committed to improving the quality of life for children and families affected by rare diseases. The Foundation works to change things for children with rare diseases by giving hope; providing medicine, equipment, and treatment;l supporting education and research; partnering with other like agencies and organisations; and through supporting specific projects and programs. The Foundation has already supported over 200 families through generous donations from our Patrons, corporate partners, and supporters. Over a million dollars has been used for medication, treatment, specialised equipment, and financial support.

How did the ACPE degree help land you in your current position?

Over time I have been given many opportunities and enjoyed fantastic and loyal friendships as a result of my background in teaching PD/H/PE, organising sports programs, and in my development roles. I am testament to the fact that an ACPE degree does not limit you to teaching, but also sets you up to move into other areas within schools and the corporate world.

Profile

It was great. I particularly enjoyed all the practical experience – having over 1000 hours of teaching and coaching experience enabled me to learn from my mistakes and become a better teacher. I was able to play Rugby Union for Northern Suburbs first grade, NSW U/21s, and in the Australian Universities team. Given my sporting commitments, the college was extremely supportive with my sporting career.

Over the 3 years I learnt to safely coach over 20 sports. After all the training I had enough resources and lesson plans to coach even the most peculiar sports.

What have you done since graduating from ACPE?

Since graduating from ACPE with a Bachelor of Physical Education in 1996, I have taught in the UK for 2 years, coached & played rugby, and worked in a sports club in London. Upon returning to Australia, I worked for Sports Pro, then undertook a role with Sydney University Sport as manager of Sport and Recreation for 5 years. In 2004 I moved to New York to work at Play Rugby and captain the New York Athletic Club. We won 2 national titles in 5 years, visiting 24 states along the way, and I began a career developing rugby with Play Rugby USA in 2006. This is a non-profit organization aimed at empowering under-served urban youth to become leaders in life. We have coached over 9,000 children, partnered with 100 schools, and have launched affiliate programs in Philadelphia, Boston, and Washington DC.

What is your position with Play Rugby?

I am currently the Program Director – I run day to day operations, manage relationships with the schools, train and manage our coaches, manage business development, and organise weekend events, tournaments, and enrichment activities. Oh, I also coach!

What is it like working with rugby in NY?

Amazing. It's been extremely rewarding to see underprivileged kids embrace and benefit from a sport they've never even heard of. Many of the youth we serve live below the poverty line and face enormous challenges daily, so to see the transformation they go through in regards to teamwork, leadership, camaraderie, and fitness is very satisfying. Right now, our program serves 800 kids a week in NYC alone.

What challenges does Rugby Union face in the USA?

1) Professionalism of mainstream, traditional American sports (basketball, baseball, and football) are firmly entrenched in the US sports and educational systems. For example, 100,000 spectators attend football games at the college level. It's hard to take people's focus away from that! To illustrate how big the gap is, the national rugby team attracts 10,000 people to a game.

2) People's awareness and understanding of the opportunities coming from rugby is limited. If rugby gets approved for the 2016 Olympics and Chicago wins the bid, it could revolutionize the game, so we're keeping our fingers crossed!

Profile

After completing my degrees I worked as a casual teacher while also running a surf awareness/surf survival program in schools. I have been fortunate enough to follow my passion for sport and now have the rights to a swimming/sports brand VICI swimwear for NSW. I own a Swim School in Cronulla Sports Pavilion on Cronulla Beach, involving 1000 kids per week.

The best part of studying at ACPE was being surrounded by like-minded people and having access to the Olympic Park facilities. I also loved my Professional Experience, as I believe that the great mentors that I had helped me mature as a teacher. The staff supported me through my degree by understanding I had sporting commitments away from college, which allowed me to combine my studies and sporting career. 

Profile

I was working in Financial Advising and playing cricket professionally in the UK and had a passion for coaching. I spoke to a good mate who informed me about ACPE and how they supported athletes who were pursuing sports careers. After a tour of the campus I knew it was the place for me.

What assistance did ACPE provide for your sporting career?

Whilst studying at ACPE I was assisted in every possible way to pursue my sporting career, both in Australia and in the UK. ACPE and the lecturers were very understanding and I have never forgotten the assistance and personal touch they gave me over the years. Without the support of Dr. Scott Dickson, Angelee Boyd, and the fantastic lecturers who mapped out a plan so that I could successfully complete my degree, it would not have all been possible. I recommend any aspiring athlete to speak to ACPE about the courses offered. Studying a degree took the pressure off my performances and gave me life and business skills that are transferable in every facet of my life.

How did you enjoy your time at ACPE?

ACPE was a great place to study. I wanted to immerse myself in college life as much as possible, so I joined the first ever Student Representative Council at the college. I will never forget the fantastic social functions, Pub Golf in the Rocks, and the end of semester Harbour cruises. Some of my closest friends are from ACPE and are now working all over the world. ACPE taught me a lot about planning, organisation, and management. Those tips are well and truly helping me now.

What have you done since graduating from ACPE?

After graduating from ACPE I played a further two seasons of professional cricket in the UK and it was here I met my future business partner, Stevie Gilmour. One sunny day down at the local ground in Edinburgh we discussed the idea of setting up a Sports Academy in Sydney. As experienced coaches, and with financial and teaching backgrounds, overnight Sydney International Sports Academy (SISA) was born! I now divide my time as the Managing Director of SISA, coaching cricket, and casual teaching.

What is the Sydney International Sports Academy (SISA)?

SISA provides aspiring athletes from Australia and internationally an opportunity to play and train in their chosen sport. We currently specialise in cricket and are in the process of setting up other sports. David Moore from ACPE has been instrumental in the development of the company and the program, assisting us every step of the way.

What challenges does cricket face into the future?

Internationally, over the next 5–10 years we need to keep strengthening associate cricket countries (Scotland, Ireland, Kenya, the Netherlands). This can be achieved by taking a sizeable squad of their best players, putting them on professional contracts, and providing opportunities to play against the current Test nations. In the immediate future, the ICC needs to keep thinking vertically and strengthen the standard of the current Test nations by improving first class cricket.

Domestically, the gap between first class cricket and grade cricket is widening due to facility improvements and more advanced training methods being made available to the more elite players. These improvements need to be made at all levels of the game.

Profile

ACPE allowed me to further my teaching education by completing the Bachelor of Physical & Health Education degree. My tertiary qualification, coupled with my Level 3 Football coaching qualification, was the perfect mix for the role. Now I find myself following my passion for sport as the Assistant Sports Master and Director of Football at Newington College.

Profile

I made the most out my ACPE degree by getting involved in as much coaching as I could to help apply what I was learning into training sessions and my athletes while studying. The degree gave me insight into what elite athletes around Australia were doing and I took that into schools around Sydney eventually getting a full time job at Loreto after supervising the schools fitness centre for 1 year.   

ACPE was a great place to study as the work was practical and relevant to the coaching I was doing at the time. I would encourage all students in the coaching degree to do as much coaching as they can while they study.