How did you get into sport?
This is the “How did you get into sport?” podcast where we explore the ins and outs of working in high performance sport.
These are conversations with leaders in the industry about their journey and most importantly how they got to where they are. Working in professional sport is one of the most sought after yet highly competitive industries with limited professional organisations offering opportunities to work at the highest level of their respective sports.
This podcast was created on the back of countless conversations with a diverse range of experienced professionals overly frustrated yet still highly motivated to work in their dream role and asking the question “How did you get to work in professional sport and what did you have to do to get there?” Host Luis Resa is a Sports Physiotherapist who has worked in various elite professional organisation both in Australia and internationally.
In each episode, Luis has deep conversations with Sports Physiotherapist, S&C coaches, Head coaches, High Performance Managers and other leaders in the field of elite sport to discuss what it takes to excel in the world of sport as well as diving deeply into the intricacies of what got their foot in the door of some of the world’s most desirable roles.
Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a review. In the meantime, enjoy a deep conversation and learn the specific do’s and don’ts of both securing and surpassing expectations in the field of high performance sport.
How did you get into sport?
Hamish Macauley - Lead Physiotherapist, Ireland Men's National Rugby Team.
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Hamish is an Australian Sports Physiotherapist who has worked at the pinnacle of rugby across the globe. Over the course of his career, he has held Head Physiotherapist roles with the ACT Brumbies (Super Rugby), the Australian National Rugby Team (Wallabies) and currently serves as Lead Physiotherapist for the world number three-ranked Ireland Men’s Rugby Team. Beyond rugby, Hamish also spent three years in the AFL as Head Physiotherapist for the Geelong Football Club. In this conversation, we explore the differences and similarities between club and international rugby, including how injuries are managed, the systems used to collaborate with coaches, medical staff, and performance teams, and the logistical demands that come with operating in both environments. From humble beginnings working in a private clinic in country Australia, his first opportunity in professional sport came through a referral from a local farmer in his community, a moment that would ultimately launch a career spanning countries, sports, and working with the elite of world sport.
Highlights from the episode…
- On the back of the 6 Nations, Hamish provides an insight into the prestige of the competition and Ireland winning the “Tripple Crown”.
- Why Hamish chose to go down the pathway of sports physio after initially commencing a Bachelor of Education.
- How Hamish got his introduction in pro sport with the ACT Brumbies (Super Rugby) through the help of a local farmer.
- We discuss Hamish’s opportunities in sport and the unspoken factors that lead to securing roles beyond just focusing on building your technical competency.
- The unique structure of Rugby Australia had in place for club physiotherapist and national team physiotherapist to improve collaboration and continuity of systems, clinical practice and athlete care.
- The differences in working as a club physiotherapist and a national team physiotherapist regarding schedules, roles, responsibilities, challenges, etc.
- The challenges of managing players who may have conflicting demands between club and national team.
- Hamish shares the incredible systems that exist in Irish Rugby that have improved collaboration and collective decision making between club and country.
- Why he was let go from the Wallabies and how it felt the following 2.5 year not working directly in sport.
- How Hamish secured a role in a new sport with one of the most successful clubs in AFL history, Geelong Cats.
- The scale, resources and staff set up in the AFL in comparison to international Rugby.
- With the long hours, travel, pressure and relentless push to be better day in day out, over many years…Did you ever experience burnout?
- How Hamish was able to secure a one of the most prestigious roles in international Rugby and his move from Australia to Europe to join Ireland Rugby.
People mentioned:
- Byron Field: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4z8bihACHtSMwpC844wCkQ
- Tim McGrath: https://open.spotify.com/episode/73xkOCQlyT1RJ0u9s3ybdE
- Mark Young: https://open.spotify.com/episode/17aAXmr5EdiTtxfqs1D1Zn
Hamish McCauley contact details:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamish-macauley-13944365/
Host: Luis Resa
Contact me on:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-resa-a975196b/
- Email: luis.resa@outlook.com
Thanks for listening and please leave a review. If you would like more information on anything mentioned in this episode simply send me an email.
