'ATHLETES ARE NOT PREPARED FOR LIFE BEYOND SPORTS CAREER'
Sports Champ|September 2024
Dr Deb Agnew is an associate professor in the College of Education, Psychology, and Social Work at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia. She teaches sociology of sports in the Bachelor of Sports and Active Recreation programme.
'ATHLETES ARE NOT PREPARED FOR LIFE BEYOND SPORTS CAREER'

Her primary research area is athlete welfare and retirement from elite sport. She holds a PhD in the constructions of masculinity following a career in elite Australian football. As part of this research, she examined what happens to footballers after they retire and how they transition into life postsports. During the talk show, she spoke about her research and her observations. Excerpts:

Tell us about your background in sports

My love for sports started with my dad. He was really into cricket and Australian football, and he made sure my two sisters and I got hooked on them too. Growing up, we were always active—swimming, playing tennis, and doing gymnastics. In primary school, I got into netball, and by high school, volleyball became part of the mix.

It wasn’t just about playing, though. I loved watching sports too, especially cricket and Aussie football. When I got to university, I didn’t just stick to playing and watching; I got involved as a sports trainer for Australian football and kept at it for 11 years while studying.

What are the two positive and two negative points in sports?

That’s a good question. From a positive perspective, sport has really obvious links to positive mental health and well-being, and it teaches people lots of skills they can use in daily life. It’s a great thing to be part of, and we know that those who are part of sports have some protective factors in terms of their health and well-being. Another positive is that being part of sports, especially team sports, helps us develop our social skills and provides opportunities to be social and make friends. If you’re involved in team sports, in particular, you can make lifelong friends that stay with you for a long time, and I think that’s positive in sports too.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM SPORTS CHAMPView all
ICONIC STADIUM
Sports Champ

ICONIC STADIUM

From the ancient grandeur of the Roman Colosseum to the cuttingedge design of Beijing's Bird's Nest, stadiums around the world hold rich histories and enduring legacies. These structures not only host epic events but also reflect the cultural, political, and architectural advancements of their eras.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
JUNIOR TALENT RARELY GUARANTEES ELITE SUCCESS
Sports Champ

JUNIOR TALENT RARELY GUARANTEES ELITE SUCCESS

Dr Tania Cassidy, is a professor of sports coaching at the School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Sciences at the University of Otago, New Zealand. Her research focus is pedagogy, and she uses educational theories to explore the interconnections between coach, athlete, content, and context. During the Sports Champ Talk Show with Chief Editor Bhushan Thakur, she spoke about talent identification, luck factors, and the early and later bloomers in sports. Excerpts:

time-read
10 mins  |
November 2024
PURVA EYES GLOBAL SUCCESS
Sports Champ

PURVA EYES GLOBAL SUCCESS

With over 50 medals to her name, including the prestigious Shiv Chhatrapati Award, Purva Kinare shares her journey in Yoga and her hopes for representing India in future international competitions.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
Ayush Shukla eyes Olympic dream
Sports Champ

Ayush Shukla eyes Olympic dream

After claiming India’s first-ever bronze in the World Junior Taekwondo Championship, 17-year-old Ayush Shukla from Ahmedabad is now looking ahead to bigger challenges, with the ultimate goal of qualifying for the Olympics.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
SCALING HEIGHTS
Sports Champ

SCALING HEIGHTS

Shreya Nankar, a 22-year-old from Pune, has excelled in wall climbing and academics, earning over 40 medals in national competitions while pursuing her master’s degree at Arizona University, USA. Recently honoured with the Shiv Chhatrapati Award, she continues to inspire with her exceptional achievements.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
Channelise your energy in the proper manner
Sports Champ

Channelise your energy in the proper manner

Tell us about your childhood and liking for sports at an early age

time-read
9 mins  |
October 2024
India's fabulous fifth
Sports Champ

India's fabulous fifth

India secured their fifth Asian Champions Trophy Hockey title with a 1-0 win over China, extending their record in the prestigious tournament. Jugraj Singh's crucial goal brought home the victory, while captain Harmanpreet Singh led the team to their sixth overall title, capping off a dominant campaign.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
WINNING TOGETHER
Sports Champ

WINNING TOGETHER

Dr Deepa Malik, former president of the Paralympic Committee of India and a silver medall at the Paralympic Games underscores the pivotal role of collective efforts, meticulous plannin talent discovery, and international exposure in India's remarkable performance at the Pa Paralympics.

time-read
5 mins  |
October 2024
KAPIL'S BRONZE BLITZ
Sports Champ

KAPIL'S BRONZE BLITZ

Triumph Amidst The Roar

time-read
5 mins  |
October 2024
MAKING OF A CHAMPION
Sports Champ

MAKING OF A CHAMPION

Becoming an Olympic gold medallist is no easy feat. For coaches, the process is a long and arduous journey that demands immense dedication, perseverance, and skill.

time-read
6 mins  |
October 2024