The cut throat industry of modern day professional sport is beginning to unveil a new breed of switched on young athletes, a revolution Sydney FC youngster and Macquarie University student Adam Biddle is proud to be a part of.
The cut throat industry of modern day professional sport is beginning to unveil a new breed of switched on young athletes, a revolution Sydney FC youngster and Macquarie University student Adam Biddle is proud to be a part of.
A member of the Sky Blues squad since the start of the 2007/08 Hyundai A-League season, Biddle-s focus is not only on what will hopefully be a long and successful sporting career, but also on preparing for life after football.
“Yes it’s (education) always important,” said Biddle. “You might be training full time then in an instant you could have a career ending knee injury, so you always need something to back you up. So hopefully I will keep on going (with my studies).”
Taking on the extra commitment of studying to become a Chiropractor alongside his role in Sydney FC-s full-time squad, the 20-year-old admits he-s had to become accustomed to juggling his two passions.
“It’s all about keeping a balance I think,” he said. “I am only doing two subjects so it is not all that hard. I do training in the morning and then do my studies in the afternoon.”
The young midfielder is well aware professional sportsmen have a limited shelf life, and while the end of his playing days is likely a long way off, the partnership between Sydney FC and Macquarie University has opened the door for him to prepare for his future career.
“Football is my greatest passion but I thought that by the time that you retire you are going to be 35 or 36, and you’re going to have to do something after that,” said Biddle. “You can’t just laze around and do nothing, so I thought chiro would be a good opportunity to get into and obviously would be a steady income.”
An ankle injury stalled Biddle’s start to the current season and he admits he-ll have to prove himself in order to fight his way into the first team.
“I think due to the set back I will focus on game time with the youth squad and if I do well, hopefully I can force my way back into the senior squad.”
The former Blacktown Demon is likely to begin his fight-back this Saturday when the Sky Blues- Youth Team kicks-off its season prior to Sydney-s clash with Queensland.
The curtain-raiser kicks off at the Sydney Football Stadium at 4:15pm.
