At UWA we encourage our students to balance their passions outside of their studies, to help them build a well-rounded and fulfilling life both in their professional and personal life.
We spoke with UWA grads Declan Tingay and Andrew Charter, both Olympians who recently competed at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, about their rise to Olympic fame, and how they balanced their studies to achieve success both on and off the field.
Declan’s story
Declan chose to pursue a sports science degree at UWA, seeing the benefit in combining his passion for walk racing with the practical side of applying his learnings to his competitions. Athletics has always been a big part of Declan’s life, and he realised that his degree would need to equip him with the knowledge to build his career in sports as well as give him the flexibility to compete at a high level.
Why did you choose to study sports science at UWA?
“I chose UWA for the quality and scope of its sport science course, but quickly came to love the flexibility and understanding of the faculty, and the support of the sports staff. The staff and faculty that work within the Sport Science and Exercise and Health departments make classes so memorable and engaging. Their genuine passion and authenticity drew me into their subjects and left such a positive imprint on me.”
After completing his studies, Declan moved to Melbourne to compete with some of the best walkers in the world. This propelled him onto a global stage, where he competed in back-to-back world athletics Championships in 2022 and 2023 and won a silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth games.
What motivated you to explore interests and passions outside of sport?
“I was inspired by my parents who both have a background in science and so pursuing a science degree was a natural choice for me. At the same time, my experience working with sport scientists, physiologists, and coaches over the years had left me wanting to return the favour inspiring me to continue down a similar path.
I pursued sports science because it allowed me the opportunity to engage with what I love (sport and exercise) outside of a purely physical context. I apply my learnings in practical ways every day as part of training or competition, and my positive experience at UWA inspires me to continue my academic career, diving deeper into new areas of learning.”
What are your future career plans?
“I plan to remain an athlete for a while longer, the 2032 Brisbane Olympics are as far as my horizon stretches currently. If my body allows me to continue beyond this, I will likely recommit to more competition. Further study always excites me, and I would like to continue with a postgraduate degree alongside my walking.”
Andrew’s story
Andrew moved to Perth to follow his dream to be the front line of defence for the Australian Men’s Hockey Team AKA the Kookaburras. At the same time, he knew that he wanted more than a sporting career and had interest in mechanical engineering from helping his father when he was younger.
When he arrived in Perth, he was unsure which university to study a Bachelor of Engineering, so he reached out to people in the industry for advice, he says, “their response was that UWA had the best course and as a member of the elite athlete-friendly universities they provided the flexibility I needed.”
We asked Andrew what he enjoyed the most about studying mechanical engineering at UWA?
“Mechanical engineering was always something that interested me from when I was young. My father and I used to dismantle things like VCRs and try get them to work so this really gave me the chance to know intimately how things worked and the course at UWA really did that.”
Please tell us a little about your career journey since leaving UWA?
“Since graduating, I started my master's to fill a gap in my knowledge while I continued my hockey journey. My first job after uni was for a boutique management consulting firm who consulted to BHP. While working for them, I transitioned into technology where I developed apps to manage the mobilisation of workforces to BHP operations. I then started contracting independently to balance hockey and work more effectively where I became a ‘product owner’ for an asset management system. Now I've moved to BHP’s project centre of excellence where I look at integrating various enterprise systems together or improvement initiatives. In short, nothing that I studied!”
Can you describe your experience competing in the Olympics?
“Olympic sport is brutal; we place ourselves in one of the toughest arenas to attempt to achieve something great. It's emboldening and at the same time vulnerable. The world watches people they have never known – praising, cheering, criticising, it’s hard but we love it.
My most memorable moment was in Tokyo, we finished top of our pool but results in the other pool meant we played Netherlands (European champs) in the quarter which is a hard match up. We got to shootouts and got the win beating them 3-0. We then went on to win our semi against Germany and unfortunately lost in shootouts against Belgium to win silver.”
How did you manage to balance your athletic commitments with your studies?
“Transparency is the big one, the more you can keep employers and the University abreast of your expected periods of training or absence the best they can plan around you. Lots of people delay telling employers because they're scared but ultimately that's the worst approach as it leaves minimal time to make accommodations.”
What are your future career plans?
“I don't really have a laid-out career path, I've got to where I am currently by following leaders or people who I respect and think I can learn from, from adhering to their example I have succeeded in my sporting and professional goals.”
Are you interested in all things sport, exercise and health but not sure how to turn your passion into a career?
Find out more about our study options including the Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Sciences.
