'SEPA Women in Sports & Exercise Podiatry' is a feature where we highlight the achievements of SEPA women who are excelling in the field.
In this edition, we are proud to pay tribute to SEPA member, Nicki Quigley.
Read on to learn more about Nicki's career in sports and exercise podiatry.
In this edition, we are proud to pay tribute to SEPA member, Nicki Quigley.
Read on to learn more about Nicki's career in sports and exercise podiatry.
Qualifications
- B.App. Sci (Human Movement), B.Podiatry
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Years in Podiatry
- 23 years
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Tell us about your work history
I always knew that I wanted to work in some capacity with athletes. After completing my sports science degree, I realised that I was particularly interested in lower limb biomechanics and injuries, and decided to go on to study podiatry, with the aim of working with athletes as a long term goal, but also having general care or other specialties to fall back on if a career in sports medicine didn’t eventuate. I initially started working in a private practice, but was attending sports medicine conferences and trying to make connections in sports podiatry as well as sitting in with other podiatrists who worked with athletes to learn from them.
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After 2 years of working, I was lucky enough to have an opportunity to do a session at Olympic Park Sports Medicine Centre which over time, built up to 5 sessions a week. During this time, I was mentored by Bec Morarty and Sally Child who still remain close friends and colleagues. I loved working in a multidisciplinary setting; learning from other practitioners, and of course, making awesome friends and connections along the way. Sports physicians, like Dr Peter Brukner, also became friends and colleagues, and were great to learn from and bounce ideas off.
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A turning point in my career came 2 years later when Olympic Park negotiated a contract for medical services at the Hawthorn Football Club. I’d been a big footy fan my whole life, so to be offered the opportunity to be a podiatrist at an AFL club was a dream come true for me. I’ve now been with the club for 20 years, and I still feel so grateful for the opportunity. I love being part of an elite multidisciplinary team and working with a terrific group of athletes.
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I decided to finish up at Olympic Park when my kids were young, and opened up a small clinic near home, initially renting a room in an osteopathy clinic. It meant more flexibility, increased profitability and less travel time, and at least I still had a link to a multidisciplinary setting at the Hawks. I’ve since expanded the clinic into a busy, 2-room practice adjoining a physiotherapy clinic, and I have an awesome team working with me which makes work fun. We’ve managed to connect closely with lots of local health practitioners who also treat athletes, giving us a bias towards more active patients. Corresponding and connecting with local practitioners has allowed me to build a more sports injury focused clinic.
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What do you think are the current roadblocks for women in building a career focusing on sports and exercise?
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Early on in my time at Hawthorn FC, there was a comment by the Head of High Performance at the time that I “did really well in a male dominated environment,” which shocked me as it had never really crossed my mind that there weren’t many females working in the football department. I’ve never really let being a female change my determination to do what I wanted to for a career and never considered that a male would be given a role in preference to me if I was a better candidate. I’ve also had many role models over the years who have inspired me to not let being a female stop me from doing what I wanted to do. I hope this inspires other women to pursue careers focused on sports and exercise as it’s such an interesting and challenging field to work in!
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How do you balance the pressures of growing your career with maintaining a personal life?
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I’ve always loved going to work since I’ve been a podiatrist, and I think the most important thing is to surround yourself at work with people that make you happy and keep connected with colleagues both professionally and socially. As a female, it is challenging when it’s time to start a family, as career growth unfortunately has to be put on hold a little while raising a young family. I think as podiatrists we are so lucky that we can have flexible working hours though, so I’ve never really felt like I’ve missed out on being there for my kids. I’ve always made sure I’ve maintained a healthy work-life balance by having a half or full day off during the week, and by working sessions that have allowed me to be there for my family when needed, plus keep active, and do the things that I love doing!
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