RMIT star athlete thrives on and off the field

Myotherapy student Maddison Ford is kicking goals in her VFLW career while studying.

When Maddison graduated from high school in 2022, she had one goal in mind – to continue her studies without sacrificing her love of sports.

She was offered a full-time scholarship to play Division 1 basketball at a college in the United States, but turned it down in favour of pursuing an Advanced Diploma of Myotherapy through RMIT’s College of Vocational Education.

“I’ve always wanted to work in the sporting field or become a health professional. As an athlete, these health professionals have helped me through injury and have got my body ready to compete at a high level, and I want to give back to the community,” said Maddison.

“Myotherapy always stood out to me for this reason, and RMIT gave me flexibility to continue sport while studying.”

An all-rounder from a young age, Maddison’s prolific talents have seen her excel in basketball and football.

In addition to representing RMIT at the 2023 UniSport Nationals Basketball Competition on the Gold Coast, she is also a member of Essendon’s VFLW squad and recently played in the preliminary finals – an experience that she will remember for years to come.

“Footy has played a massive role in my life. It was my escape from everything; it made me forget about the stressful times outside of footy,” she said.

“There have been a lot of ups and downs throughout this season – we unfortunately went down in the elimination finals to North Melbourne – but we will rebuild and come out stronger next season.

“Footy is all about learning and having fun. Obviously, I want to win, but having a good bunch of girls to play footy with and be around is the best.”

Finding balance while managing a busy schedule

All students can relate to the challenge of balancing study commitments with everyday life. As a professional athlete who works two jobs, Maddison understands this struggle all too well.

She acknowledges that while it can be hard sometimes, speaking to RMIT staff and surrounding herself with friends and family have been key to avoiding burnout.

“My strong support system of RMIT staff and my teammates at Essendon have made it a lot easier to juggle everything.

“I try to find downtime when possible, take naps and listen to music, as these are some of the things that make my life less stressful and tiring.

“I always try and have a debrief chat with my mum about what I’m going through daily. She’s my number one supporter.”

Classroom learnings power performance

A surprising part of Maddison’s journey at RMIT has been how applicable her studies are to her game.

Through her studies, she has gained life lessons and a level of resilience and determination that keep her going during footy season.

“I’ve learned during my time at RMIT that if you put in the hard work, positive outcomes will always come your way, whether it’s in a week or a year. And that’s the attitude I apply to footy.

“Another thing I’ve learned is the value of strong communication. Being open with my teachers and coaches about my workload and how I’m feeling has helped me during the season.”

As for what’s next, Maddison is looking forward to graduating in June next year and finding work as a myotherapist.

She’s optimistic about her football career, hoping to continue playing at her best and one day be drafted into the AFLW.

25 July 2024

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