Lumen Spring 2021 - Flipbook - Page 16
“Most people who come to judo don't do much
competition sport. They come to learn how to get
fit and learn how to fall properly and those sorts of
skills,” said Michael.
With this in mind, Michael’s proudest
achievements at the Club are the standards of
physical fitness and excellence which he has helped
members, including World Paralympic champion
Tony Clark, achieve.
Another fond memory is meeting his wife Meera,
also a University of Adelaide graduate, at the Club.
“She took up judo because she saw a
demonstration of judo in Bombay when she was
doing her degrees,” said Michael.
“So when she finished her degrees in Bombay
and her supervisor said, ‘There's a spot for you in
Adelaide to do a PhD’, the first thing she did when
she arrived in Adelaide was look for a judo club.
And I was the coach.
“So that enriched my life quite a bit you could say.”
Apart from meeting Meera, Michael says
involvement in the Club and Adelaide University
Sport (AU Sport) has benefited him in many ways.
“Doing an honours degree and then a Masters
in mathematical physics was very difficult. So I
needed a physical outlet. That physical outlet for
me was judo,” said Michael.
Michael has also worked as a project officer for
AUS and has been a tutor in the University’s
Physics Department for many years.
Michael believes what makes AU Sport different
from other sporting organisations is the
connections you build.
“I know the Adelaide University Judo Club and the
sports group has been a bit of a family to me and
everyone that's involved in the Club,” said Michael.
“So we've got a lot of international students and
we've become almost like parents to them in many
situations.
“I've seen every one of our students thrive, I’ve
seen the value as they actually take up judo and get
to know each other, drink together and form social
groups. It's just very, very valuable.”
This year Michael celebrates his 50th anniversary
as a Club member. While his days of being flipped
on the mats are largely over, he continues to
practice judo movements as well as instruct others.
“The physical education side of things has kept me
probably more active than most 70 year olds.”
14
THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE
Maeve Plouffe
Currently studying a Bachelor of Sciences
and Bachelor of Laws
Student and Olympic athlete Maeve Plouffe won
a Blue in 2018, her first year at the University of
Adelaide. Maeve is a track endurance specialist.
“Fixed gear, no brakes, going around super-fast,
that’s my forte,” said Maeve.
At the Tokyo Olympics Maeve competed in the
team pursuit, a fast and technical team event raced
over four kilometres. The team came fifth in the final.
Maeve is matching the challenge of competing
at the top level with studying a double degree in
science and law.
“I think that if you are successful in your sport,
then you will probably be more successful in your
studies, because you learn things like discipline and
how to just get the job done a lot better.
“And you learn to be a perfectionist and really put
100 per cent into what you’re doing. And that's
something I’ve learned from sport and been able to
apply across to my studies.
“I definitely find that I study better when I've done
a training session that day and not just locked up
in my room studying all the time. I would watch
a lecture or go to a seminar and then do my
training session. And if it's a light ride in the hills
or something, I'll still be thinking about the lecture
a little bit. That's actually a great time to just be
present and thinking about what you’ve learned.
“As athletes, we put so much pressure on ourselves
and we tend to value ourselves based on how fast
we can ride a bike, which is so silly, but we can't
help it. So having study on the side, it means on
your bad days you have something else to work
towards and put your mind to outside of your sport.”
While the double degree was a key factor in
Maeve’s decision to study at this University,
equally important, Maeve says, was the Adelaide
University Sport program. Apart from providing
the flexibility to create the right balance between
her study and sporting commitments, it’s
connected Maeve to a community of like-minded
people willing to share their experiences.
“I was speaking at the AU Sport Women's Brunch
on International Women's Day, which was
definitely a highlight for me.
“It was good exposure to public speaking, and
great to be able to just connect with a range of
people who you wouldn't otherwise be exposed to
if you're just in cycling.”
