DIETETICS Alison Walsh

How to become a Sports Dietitian

Alison Walsh Sports Dietitian (BSc, BA, M Nutr & Diet, Grad Cert Sport Nutr, Cert Paed Nutr & Diet, Dip Media Studies (Health and Fitness Writing), APD)

What do Sports Dietitians do?

i Work with individuals and groups to advise athletes on dietary intake to ensure optimal performance in their chosen sport. i Assess body composition, and advice athletes according (ie. body fat loss, muscle gain). i Advise athletes on adequate vitamin and mineral intake from food.

What do Sports Dietitians do?

i Assist athletes to minimise or prevent fatigue, cramping, dehydration, weight loss, or fat gain. i Provide athletes with information to assist life skills, fluid intake, and recovery. i Advise athletes on supplement usage. i Organise provision of food for travelling athletes.

Qualifications completed to become Clinical Dietitian

i Bachelor of Science (Melb Uni) majored in physiology i Bachelor of Arts (Melb Uni) - double majored in psychology and minor major Italian i Master of Nutrition and Dietetics (Deakin Uni - 2 years, including practical placements)

Additional qualifications to become a Sports Dietitian

i Intensive sports nutrition course at AIS. i Graduate Certificate of Sports Nutrition (Deakin Uni) i Internationally accredited training in anthropometry (skinfolds). i Encouraged to join APD program, have mentoring for at least 12 months.

Extra study completed

i Certificate in Paediatric Nutrition and Dietetics i Diploma of Media Studies (Health and Fitness Writing)

Current study program

i Diploma of Professional Writing (Editing and Proofreading)

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
i A study score of at least 25 in English and Chemistry i Completion of any two of either VCE mathematics Units 3 & 4, Biology, P.E or Psychology is desirable i Required ENTER cut off score will be dependent on individual University requirements

UNDERGRADUATE TERTIARY STUDIES: NUTRITION

VICTORIAN UNIVERSITIES:
UNIVERSITY DURATION DEGREE DEAKIN RMIT MONASH LATROBE VU 3-4 years depending on degree Bachelor of Applied Science (Food Science & Nutrition) Bachelor of Nutritional Science Bachelor of Applied Science (Food Science & Technology) ENTER SCORE Contact specific University for this entrance requirement

UNDERGRADUATE TERTIARY STUDIES: DIETETICS

VICTORIAN UNIVERSITIES:
UNIVERSITY DURATION DEGREE ENTER SCORE MONASH 4 years Bachelor of Nutrition & Dietetics* Contact the specific University for this entrance requirement

* Accredited by the Dietitians Association of Australia

POST GRADUATE STUDIES

i i i i Graduate Certificate in Sports Nutrition Current Dietetics Practice Health Science (Human Nutrition) Graduate Diploma in Sports Nutrition & Dietetics Applied Science (Nutritional Science) Masters of Health Science (Human Nutrition) Medical Science (Nutrition & Dietetics) Nutritional Science Dietetics Further Study Sports Dietitians - further education course conducted by the Sports Dietitians Association at the Australian Institute of Sport i PhD

Professional associations relevant for Sports Dietitians

i Dietitians Association of Australia with Accredited Practising Dietitian status i Sports Dietitians Australia i Sports Medicine Australia

How do you find a Sports Dietitian?

i Contact Sports Dietitians Australia website: www.sportsdietitians.com Phone: (03) 9425 0015

Employment opportunities for Sports Dietitians

i Work at Sports Medicine Clinics, Institutes of Sport. i Work with teams (eg AFL). i Work in education: university lecturing, tutoring. i Undertake research relevant to sports nutrition. i Author books, articles. Be involved with the print, sound or visual media.

Past employment
i Prahran (Sandringham) Dragons Football Club i Ballarat Health Services - Queen Elizabeth Centre i Carlton Football Club i Titans Basketball Team i Alphington Sports Medicine Clinic and Melbourne Sports Medicine Centre

Past employment
i Mayne Corporate Health Management i Victorian Obesity Surgery Centre i Contributing author of Fit Kids book, and promotions i Nutrition module editor for personal trainers

i Lecturing and tutoring at universities

Areas of work now

i Private practice at Kew office i Regular writing for Runners World magazine i Editing SDA bi-monthly newsletter Fuel. i Project manager and media contact SDA. i Resident dietitian on Run Like You Stole Something - RRR 102.7FM 9-10am Sat i Lectures to personal trainers, various sporting groups, and schools. i Providing comment to the media on sports and general nutrition issues.

Key attributes of a successful Sports Dietitian

i Dedication to your job(s)! i An empathy with athletes regarding issues of time management, training pressures, and other lifestyle issues. i A keen interest in sport, health and fitness. i Willingness to work odd hours, after hours, and weekends. Good time management!

Key attributes of a successful Sports Dietitian

i Flexibility and an open mind in your management approach. i A sense of humour. i Motivation, innovation, enthusiasm. i Willingness to continually update knowledge and learn from colleagues. i A desire to read the back page of the newspaper before the front page!

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Recommended Websites
i Sports Dietitians Australia: www.sportsdietitians.com i Dietitians Association of Australia: www.daa.asn.au i Australian Institute of Sport: www.ais.org.au/nutrition

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