Matthew Turnbull

Current Role: Project Manager, Program design, Sporting Schools at Sport Australia

AIS Athlete from: 2000-2001, Water Polo

What attracted you to sport?

My parents, Rhonda and Mark met playing Water Polo in Sydney, so I was around the sport my entire life. I played a number of sports as a kid, but I settled with Water Polo because of the team sport aspects and the opportunities to travel.

What are you first memories of the AIS?

I remember how proud I felt walking around the campus, eating in the dining hall and working out in the gym, with Olympic legends. There was a great vibe on campus as there were a lot of residential programs on site, so we enjoyed mingling with the other athletes and teams.

If you were talking with a modern-day athlete, finish this sentence: ‘Back in my day …’

We trained six hours a day and did not complain, because that’s all we knew. These days there is more focus on managing training loads to prevent injury and burn out.

What are your fondest memories of the AIS?

Every second Friday the Water Polo squad would play soccer on the synthetic indoor pitch. It was very enjoyable to watch water-based athletes try their hand at a land-based sport. I’m sure the other sports got a kick out of watching us play.

I was living off campus and one morning I was startled by my alarm clock. Thinking I was late, I quickly jumped in the car and flew off to training which started at 4.45am on Fridays. I found it strange I couldn’t access the building with my swipe card and there were no lights on in the pool. I thought I might have missed the memo, but on closer inspection I noticed a clock in the pool area reading 1.45am. My coaches still remind me of it when I see them.

How did the AIS help progress your sporting career? What were your proudest sporting achievements?

The AIS helped me immensely, both in sporting a career life. I went on to play US College Water Polo and captained several junior Australian teams, which were the highlights.

Describe the AIS in three words.

Critical. Environment. Success

How did this time at the AIS influence your career after sport?

I have spent most of my career life working in sport and those training days instilled many important qualities around teamwork, discipline and effective communication.

Tell us about your role now and what you enjoy most about it?

I am part of the Sporting Schools innovation team, where we help design new iterations of the Sporting Schools program. This year we are working on a project to find ways to connect school students with local sporting clubs. As a former teacher and coach, I am passionate about sport participation and the benefits it brings to an individual and community.

Are you still involved in sport outside work?

I am still involved with the sport of Water Polo and work at the administration level in Canberra.