A sporting desire
by Rebecca Gill
If coordinating 70,000 school-age students to take part in the same state-wide event, all in the same week sounds like a challenging task, then spare a thought for Matt Schmidt, a graduate of UniSA’s Recreation Planning and Management Program.
As Executive Director of the Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation’s SA branch, that’s exactly what Schmidt does annually as part of Be Active Physical Education Week.
In addition to being an advocate for active and healthy living, ACHPER coordinates a range of popular and professional activities that support educators. Among the organisation’s partners are such influential associations as Life Be In It (Corporate Cup) and the National Heart Foundation (Jump Rope for Heart).
A lifelong love for sport and recreation propelled Schmidt into a career in the industry. Now, even at the upper management echelons, he still finds the time to experience the great outdoors, swapping a suit and tie for trainers and a tracksuit.
"It’s about leading by example," he says.
In a corporate context, Schmidt is busy developing, managing and promoting projects and events.
"My days are pretty varied. I could be planning conferences, doing advocacy through publications, meeting with government agencies, ministers or school representatives. It’s an extensive network of meetings."
For Schmidt, his role is the ultimate in a life based around being an active member of society. He feels ACHPER is an organisation through which he can channel his knowledge and enthusiasm back into the community.
"With all the discussions about obesity and activity levels, there’s a real need for quality services and programs to make a dent in this problem," he says.
At 30, Schmidt is the youngest Executive Director of an ACHPER branch in Australia. A cursory glance at his CV reveals why he is at the top so early in the game.
At school, he put up his hand for almost every extracurricular activity imaginable. Currently he is president of Concordia OId Collegians Cricket Club and an executive member at the Council of Education Associations of SA.
"Volunteering is a major key to value-add to your degree, and also to your career. When you are starting out, gaining experience at organisations in the industry in which you want to work is vital.
"In recreation, planning and management, it’s crucial to get that
experience, and networking is so important because it’s a small
industry. A lot of jobs aren’t advertised, but promoted by word of
mouth. I got my first job because I had been active at Uni,
organising social events and activities.
A lecturer recommended me," Schmidt says.
By having an active UniSA alumnus at the helm, ACHPER SA, through a partnership with UniSA education and human movement programs, also has the skilled help of student volunteers at many of its major events.
Schmidt says the recreation, planning and management program not only leads in the state, but also holds significant clout in the national arena.
"It’s a broad course with large practical components, and you can specialise. There is no doubt that in Adelaide, sport and recreation management is a small and competitive sector. A lot of my fellow graduates have taken their skills interstate, where they are doing really well for themselves."