SEPA women in sports and exercise podiatry: Emma Poynton

The last three summers, I’ve held the Australian Open Podiatrist position. This involves setting up an onsite clinic room underneath Rod Laver Arena, where I work within a multidisciplinary sports medicine team managing both the WTA and ATP players during the January Grand Slam. 

 

One of my passion projects is with the Melbourne Mustangs (Australian Ice Hockey League) team. I’m the club’s Head of Medical Services and Sports Integrity Officer. This role includes providing podiatry support, but also includes managing the off-ice medical team of strength and conditioning coaches, physiotherapists, sport trainers, doctors, etc. 

 

Prior to this, I’ve held many other positions with the AFLW’s National Academy, Little Athletics Victoria, Box Hill Hawks VFL, just to list few. 

 

External to my podiatry work, I’m heavily involved in both domestic and international ice hockey. I hold a number of roles including Head Coach of the Victorian Women’s Ice Hockey team and General Manager of the Victorian U18 team. Internationally, I work as a Technical Delegate at World Para Ice Hockey World Championship events. I also coach internationally at the World Para Ice Hockey Skills Development Camps. 

Frustratingly, sports that are traditionally heavily-weighted towards a male involvement… often still are heavily male-dominated. Roadblocks still exist as a female in these male-dominated environments. The positive news is the landscape is definitely getting easier as a female working in sport. But the roadblocks do still exist.

 

The number one most frustrating thing is when someone presumes and treats you differently because you are a female. Or they presume because you’re a female… you have no idea! As a female in sport, I have found myself being mansplained to many times. 

To be involved in so many sports at the level I am at, you have to naturally and holistically love sport and love a fast paced working environment… Luckily, I love both sport and energised, high-paced environments. If you love what you do – often work doesn’t feel like a chore. I look forward to going onsite weekly at the Western Bulldogs Football Club. The same occurs in January when I find myself working 22-days straight at the Australian Open… I look forward to being part of the team behind the team of the AO. 

 

I would not say I’ve had external pressures to grow my career; the desire to grow my career has mostly come from my own personal goals and me wanting to see what I can achieve. This is in combination with a desire to grow the awareness of podiatry and its reputation in sports, plus the broader community. 

 

One tip to ensure balance is you have to be super organised. Structure your week to maximise your time and what you can achieve in the hours you have.