For Combat Australia’s AW&E Manager, Sarah Conlon, that means a focus beyond physical performance to prioritise the mental and emotional wellbeing of athletes in boxing, judo, taekwondo, wrestling and fencing.

A big part of that involves longer-term planning and encouraging personal and professional development to help athletes transition into careers beyond their sporting pursuits.

“It’s a unique role, but supporting and advocating for athletes and their journeys is really exciting and I feel very fortunate to be able to do that,” Conlon said.

Starting with an induction, Conlon ensures athletes know what support and resources are available before encouraging them to consider study opportunities that can be done alongside training.

“I don’t like the idea of stopping sport and starting a career. I think that’s a recipe for disaster as they’re both big changes and humans dislike change. We like routine. We like stability,” Conlon said.

“I talk to athletes about that: ‘If one day you finish sport – sometimes that’s chosen, sometimes it’s not – what else are you going to do that is connected to your interests or passions?’ And then we work backwards.”