Q&A with Queensland Ballet Academy Admissions and Wellbeing Manager, Geoff Smith

It was the intersection of wellbeing and performance health in an elite environment that peaked Geoff Smith’s interest when he saw Queensland Ballet Academy’s Admissions and Wellbeing Manager position advertised in 2022. With a background in sports – including a current part-time gig working for Queensland Reds Rugby Union Academy, and extensive experience in working with young people in unique environments across Australia, Geoff has been a very welcome addition to the team since he joined just over a year ago. Here, he shares insight into the important role he fulfils within the Academy faculty. 

You’ve got incredible insight into the minds and challenges of young people. How did your background in education and sport prepare you for the Wellbeing Manager role at the Academy?

I grew up doing a lot of traditional sports – cricket, football, rugby, as well as surf boats, lifesaving and competitive rowing, which has a tough, demanding environment that builds resilience. As I moved into leadership roles, I gave up the competitive side but kept the health side. I’ve done lots of different things since then - Physical Education (PE) teacher in Brisbane; Sports Head of PE in the Northern Territory in a 100 per cent Indigenous community; Deputy Principal in a school in Cairns for children with behavioural challenges; and also in Victoria as an Assistant Principal at Berry Street School. Being in high performing environments like these has given me the best life experience because everything you do has to be right. In some settings I’ve been in, you get one thing wrong and there could be a chair through the window, so I learned a lot about wellbeing strategy and positive psychology.

What was it about the Wellbeing Manager role that interested you, and how have you found it so far?

That wellbeing aspect working in a high-performance environment interested me. I knew nothing about ballet at the time but I did know that if it involved young people trying to be better, there’d be unique challenges along the way. My interests were in development - mind, body and soul, and I just didn't find space for those that fulfilled me in past curriculums, strategies and pedagogies, so hence the gravitating towards a wellbeing role where I could educate from a different level. My favourite part of this job is always working with the young people - interacting with them and seeing what's going on in their world. I heard a good thing once that educating young people keeps you young because you see the world through young and enthusiastic eyes.

What are some wellbeing initiatives that Queensland Ballet Academy excels in?

Access to physiotherapy is good. There has also been a lot of work in nutrition and fuelling since I’ve been here – a massive investment in time and resources to provide that education to students and families to help manage themselves. There has been a big drive with mental health with sports psychologists running sessions with the students. Psychology and mental health require a continual conversation with young people. We’ve been working a lot with Zara Gomes (Queensland Ballet Director of Health and Community) and Michelle White (QB’s Head of Performance Medicine) on aligning with the Australian Institute of Sport and its polices to ensure best practice in safe, supportive environments.

How do you work with Kelvin Grove State College staff to support student needs?

It’s a strong relationship and works well, involving a lot of communication around student wellbeing and how they’re travelling and tracking at school on things like QCE. We’ll meet regularly to discuss academic results and also share any concerns we may be noticing. We’ve collaborated on a few things, for example Bec Sauer (Guidance Officer) and I have presented together on interpersonal relationships. The students see that Kelvin Grove is invested in what’s going on here and we know if there are issues up at the school, so we can provide all round support for them.

What’s one thing you always make sure to tell prospective students and carers?

It’s a unique environment here, and I regularly tell parents that the 21^st century skills they learn here can be applied to anything. The discipline, the work ethic, the respect for others – all these things are so ingrained here that, regardless of if you continue to dance professionally in later years, you can transfer these skills to anywhere and be successful. If a student leaves to pursue other things, we’ll say ok, what’s the next thing, let’s apply that dedication and work ethic to that area and you’ll be successful. You’re surrounded by people here that are driven, so it becomes the norm to work hard at your academics, work hard at your art, look after yourself. There’s a lot of support to drive and perform in a very high-performance way. This is the highest performing environment, above any sporting code that I’ve ever seen.

You currently also work with the Queensland Reds Rugby Union Academy – any similarities between ballet and rugby environments?

I see a lot of similarities! I’ll go down to Ballymore and there’ll be big blokes throwing around big weights, but the area of high performance is the same as here. Both cohorts are very driven, very disciplined, both have challenges in regards to outside commitments and injuries, so even though they look very separate, there are the same underlying challenges. It’s really nice to be able to combine and see those similarities and work to support young people in both these environments. It’s a beautiful thing about my job.

You’d never seen a ballet performance before you started at the Academy – what do you think of the artform, one year in?

The last 12 months I have been front and centre at a lot of ballet performances! It has been great, I’ve really enjoyed it. My appreciation for ballet has gone through the roof. The first one I went to see was Li’s Choice, last year. Best introduction ever. I also love any production that has the students involved. I had a conception that ballet was all just ‘Swan Lake’ but to see such a variety I thought, this is pretty cool.