At Sports College SA, we love seeing the many different pathways our students pursue after graduation. For Emily Waters, a member of the Class of 2024, that pathway has continued to be shaped by her passion for sport, coaching and creating opportunities for others.
Since graduating, Emily has embraced a future in the sport industry, studying a Bachelor of Sport and Active Recreation at Flinders University while continuing to build experience across coaching, officiating and playing.
Emily was accepted into University through the SCSA portfolio pathway, an opportunity that allowed her to continue pursuing a field she is passionate about. Alongside her studies, she is currently coaching three netball teams, including Head Coach of the Under 13 Division 1 team at Reynella Netball Club, Head Coach of the Year 9 Team 2 at Sacred Heart College and Assistant Coach of the Under 13 SUNA Representative team.
Emily has also continued to develop her skills away from the court, working as an Intermediate Bench Official with Netball SA and the Premier League. One of her highlights has been the opportunity to bench officiate the Adelaide Thunderbirds Futures game, gaining valuable insight into the behind-the-scenes operations of elite sport.
Reflecting on her journey since leaving SCSA, Emily believes the College helped her discover new opportunities and develop the independence needed to take the next step.
“Through SCSA, I got the opportunity to become a bench official, and I am loving being involved in netball behind the scenes and seeing how a game day is run. SCSA made me learn to be more independent and learn in a way that catered to me. I also made some amazing friendships.”
One of Emily’s favourite parts of her time at SCSA was the opportunity to explore her creativity through work experience with the Marketing team, where she filmed and edited content for the College’s social media channels.
“I loved when the whole school would get together, and I could interview everyone, giving me the chance to talk to others while creating content,” she says.
For Emily, the relationships she built at SCSA are what she values most from her time at the College.
“I came to SCSA not knowing anyone at all, and now I don’t know where I’d be without these people in my life,” she says.
Since graduating, Emily is most proud of the confidence and passion she has developed.
“I’m most proud of the person I’ve become,” she says. “I’ve gained so much confidence and passion for sport and learning more since graduating, and I can give credit to the mentors and staff at SCSA for helping shape me.”
Her advice to current students is to embrace every opportunity that comes their way.
“Take every opportunity! You never know who you’ll meet and impress, and you could eventually meet them later in your career,” she says.
Looking ahead, Emily hopes to continue developing her coaching skills, gain further accreditations and complete her degree while continuing to explore where a career in sport may take her.
Emily’s journey is a reminder that there are many ways to build a future in sport. Through curiosity, connection and a willingness to say yes to new experiences, she is creating a pathway that reflects her passions and the person she wants to become.