Footy boots were swapped for pointe shoes, when football coaches from all levels of coaching were given a unique look into the world of a different elite athlete, a ballerina.
Organised by AFL Queensland Coaching Development and Education Lead, Jack Barry, the educational session with Queensland Ballet gave coaches an insight into how Queensland Ballet run their high performance program, the strength and conditioning of dancers, and their rehab programs.
“There are many similarities between AFL and ballet and the session was a great opportunity for our coaches to learn in a different environment,” Barry said.
“I think our coaches can take a lot way from our time at Queensland Ballet and hopefully implement into a football context.
Head of Performance Health, Zara Gomes and Strength Trainer, Tony Lewis took the footy coaches behind the scenes of a normal rehearsal day at Queensland Ballet.
“The rehearsal workload is quite intense, our dancers train from 10am to 6pm, five days a week and learn up to four roles in each season.
“One element I think the AFL Queensland coaches found interesting was the interaction of our artistic coaches and the incredible level of detail in the way they coach the dancers during rehearsals.”
Retired AFLW player and Coach of the Queensland U17 boys team, Sam Virgo said she was amazed by elite nature of the industry.
“The immediate feedback from coaches during rehearsals allows the dancers to implement and trial straight away I think that is certainly something I could bring into my coaching and do better.”
