The first of our professionals to feature in the Member Focus section of our newsletter in Sharyn Canny from Ballarat, Victoria. Sharyn is in a very unique position within school sport, in that she is the part-time Executive Officer for two separate school sport associations. Sharyn was kind enough to share some insights into her career and explain why she loves for work.
Questions โ Member Focus
Tell us a little about yourself โ how your journey started, how long you have been involved in school sport, specific roles that you have held.
I studied PE at Ballarat and in my second year of teaching at Loreto College, Ballarat took on the role as Head of Sport. In those days the management of the Association rotated annually amongst the participating schools, with 2 periods time release. Back in the day when all communication, including fixtures, were typed up and hand delivered to schools, results were faxed in each Friday.
Over time this role was outsourced, and I was invited to apply. I thought it would be a good thing to do from home while I was on Maternity Leave and here I am, 22 years later!
The BAS job started as a contracted position and later an Employment Agreement was established. I have always worked solo so in terms of the roles, I feel like I have done it all!
How do you manage the shared responsibility for two different associations?
BAS is the bigger of my roles with the Association hosting weekly sport and all the usual carnivals and events. ICCES hosts 9 Carnivals over the year, thus allowing me to combine the 2 roles. Although principles, procedures and goals are all very similar, there are quite different dynamics between schools within one community and those spread far and wide across the state.
Many things overlap so a lot of my responsibilities can be ticked off together and it is always a good reminder to ensure all things are compliant across both Associations.ย ย I often plan to have a strict division of my time but more often than not am constantly flitting between the two.
What are some of the benefits and challenges of working part time for an association?
I have always worked from home and had the opportunity to be very flexible with the hours that I work, as long as the job gets done. This was perfect when my boys were at home and then in later years when I was able to take on additional work and broaden my horizons; although, always around sport and teaching. In recent years, as the opportunity to travel has increased, I am working away from home more often. As long as I have my laptop and internet coverage, I am good. My principals have been very supportive of this transition.
The benefits definitely out way the challenges, although sometimes it is hard to switch off; I am always at work and, in this role, find I really need to be available to at least answer my phone at any time. Who knows when an umpire doesnโt turn up or the weather is creating havoc!
What are some of the burning issues you and your member schools are currently facing in relation to school sporting programs or association management?
Child Safe Standards and ensuring we are compliant is a constant, and, I doubt, we will ever get to a space when we can tick all the boxes at any one time. Over time this has become much bigger than my capabilities and I am grateful that both BAS and ICCES are now prepared to outsource this somewhat.
Since Covid times we have seen a decline in participation numbers that is not recovering at the rate we thought it would. Conflicts around part time work, elite sport and other external pursuits has seen overall team numbers declining in many of our major, particularly senior, competitions.
What advice would you offer to members that are just starting out in their role?
Utilise the expertise, wisdom and camaraderie available from those that have been working in this space for some time.ย ย I find school environments to be very unique and rarely will an issue arise that someone else has not dealt with before.
The contacts you create and the network you establish will be invaluable; from the staff you work with, local sporting organisations and even the guy that engraves your trophies. Treasure these and treat them all with respect and kindness and they will become valuable to your role, help you out if in a fix and even friends over time.
You will be frustrated often as so much of our role relies on others to do their bit. Write the emailโฆ sit on it overnightโฆ then delete and start again ๐
What made you want to sign up as a member with School Sport Professionals?
See above!
Tell us about the collaboration you have been involved with previously with your Victorian colleagues and how that sharing of knowledge and resources has helped you in your role.
Again, see above!
Other EOโs have been so valuable over time in so many ways, and I doubt I would still be in this role without their support. At times, like during Covid, everything feels so overwhelming that often you donโt know where to start. These people have grounded me, overcome the isolation that can be felt in our roles, set me in the right direction and become great friends!
I am so very grateful for this.
Most memorable moment in your career as a school sport professional?
Lots, but probably as a collective when I see students move through their school years, be involved in BAS Sport from Year 7 โ Year 12 and acknowledge or are grateful for the small role I played in this.
Any time I see the students make the most of an opportunity that we have provided, try something new, have a good time with their school mates, develop relationships with students from other schools, show sportsmanship that can get lost outside the school bubble – I find joy.
Favourite sport and sporting moment?
Not related to school sport but Basketball has always been my thing and the opportunity to coach young people in a sport that I love would be one of my favourite things. My under 12 Boys won a State Club Championship which was pretty special.
Who inspires you and why?
I took over from Mrs J as Head of Sport at Loreto and things that she taught me in my first couple of years I still use and refer back to today. I would love to hear what she thinks about how this space has changed in the last 30 plus years.
My children inspire me; I love they way they see the world, put life into perspective, ground me and strive to be true to who they are. I love spending time with them and I donโt think they know this. Shh! ๐