Rory Moore
2nd-year student, Bachelor of Sport and Recreation in Coaching & Sport and Exercise Science
Volunteering as a coach inspired him to consider coaching as a career, says Rory Moore who is studying a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation in Coaching & Sport and Exercise Science.
“I’ve been playing Ultimate Frisbee since I began high school, and have played both men’s and mixed Ultimate competitively since 2014. In 2019, I was lucky enough to represent my country at the Under-24 World Ultimate Championships in Germany. Aside from coordinating leagues and helping drive social media and club culture in my respective clubs, I’m also managing and coaching the Ultimate Frisbee programme at Pakuranga College where I went to school. I’ve devoted a lot of my time to giving my students every opportunity to excel in the sport I fell in love with.
“My volunteer coaching has helped me realise that I have such a passion for helping others excel in their athletic achievements that I wanted to make it my career. I’ve really appreciated how transferrable the theory and practical learnings from my sport and recreation degree are to my own coaching. The knowledge I’m gaining here continuously helps me to become a more resourceful and adaptable coach for my players.”
While he still has another year of his studies ahead of him, Rory already has a good idea what the future may hold.
“I have a great passion for the outdoors and exercise, and the benefits they have for a fulfilling life. I could see myself working as a sports coach, a strength and conditioning coach, or even as a performance analyst working with coaches to help athletes reach their full potential. I have a real passion for helping others succeed.”
Balancing study and Ultimate Frisbee
Because he is balancing his studies with his sporting and volunteering commitments, Rory says he has appreciated how encouraging AUT has been of his commitments outside of study.
“My lecturers have always made themselves approachable and available to talk about my progress and anything I might be struggling with, and the Student Hub and the programme co-ordinators have made it so easy to choose my courses and guide my studies. I’ve met some awesome people who have inspired my pathway and backed my aspirations. Everyone here just wants to see you succeed and that’s really cool.”
He also loves being able to focus on the sport he is so passionate about in his studies.
“I got to do my first workplace experience placement with Pakuranga College, working alongside the sports co-ordinators, which gave me a good insight into their responsibilities.
“For my Analysing Performance course, I could also focus my project on Ultimate Frisbee and I’ve really enjoyed learning about coding and performance analysis in relation to my sport, especially as it lacks the background in academic resources. I now plan to continue my work through my final-year workplace experience to present to New Zealand Ultimate, in the hopes of working together with them to build performance analysis tools for Ultimate Frisbee for our internationally competing teams in the future.”
Advice for other students
Rory’s advice for other students is simple: know your why.
“I think it's so important to understand what you’re trying to achieve by being at university. Reminding myself of the big picture always helps to reign me in and discipline myself. If you know your why, you’ll be able to get your priorities in check.”
He says he would definitely encourage other people to join AUT’s sport programmes.
“I’ve found that the great benefit is that the learnings are very relevant to the sport industry and are constantly developing to suit the evolving sport sector. There’s a great balance of visual, audial and practical learning as well, which helps to keep you engaged and absorbed.”
