TWO second-year university students have just completed a four-week internship with the physio team at the Melbourne Football Club.
Ellie White and Adam Corunna are both studying to become physios and have been given invaluable experience around the club, learning from some industry professionals.
Melbourne's Elite Performance Manager, David Mission, said it was a focus of the club's to bring in some students and help develop them in the football department.
"As a RAP Committee, we made a commitment to provide some real potential employment pathways for young Indigenous students and professionals," Mission told Melbourne Media.
"This included some intensive immersion in our High Performance, Medical and Coaching programs.
"This is the experience that Adam and Ellie have had the opportunity to undertake."
Both students enjoyed the hands on experience, and White said being so involved was most beneficial.
“We’ve been helping out mainly with strength and conditioning and the physios,” White told Melbourne Media.
“We’ve helped out with a couple of drills here and there and we’ve gone to meetings with Dave Mission about rehab with the coaching team.”
White said she was extremely appreciative of the opportunity, as Melbourne provided her with such rare insights.
“It’s been absolutely amazing because it’s not something we’ve been exposed to at uni at all,” she said.
“We only get exposed to hospital settings, so physio is an interest of both of ours.
“To be able to have exposure to that and really be involved in the team was pretty cool and to see how they all collaborate and work towards a match day.”
Corunna was equally as excited by his time at the club over the past four weeks.
“It’s been unreal,” Corunna told Melbourne Media.
“Everyone’s been so welcoming, they’ve showed me around every aspect of the club.”
Growing up as a big football fan, Corunna has always wanted to be in the inner sanctum of a professional club.
“I’ve played footy since I was about four years old and I’ve got a big passion for the game,” Corunna said.
“I’ve had a passion for working with a sports team, so this has consolidated my passion for it.”
Working with AFL players was a bit surreal for Corunna at first, but he received a warm welcome and now feels part of the fabric of the club.
“I was a bit start struck to start with but as you go on you realise they’re just normal blokes,” Corunna said.
“They’re really humble guys and everyone came and introduced themselves to me. It was great.”
White and Corunna were both thrilled to be a part of Melbourne and feel ready to work within the industry after completing their internship.
