From Athlete to Team Manager: A New Perspective on Para Cycling
On April 24th, Carol version 6 truly came to life. I was heading to Belgium, just like most years around this time, for a Para Cycling World Cup. But this year was different - I wasn’t there as a cyclist but as the Team Manager.
Excited, nervous, and curious - that pretty much summed up my emotions. Would I enjoy this transition from athlete to management? I wasn’t sure. But I knew I had people I could lean on for guidance if I needed it.
Our team was also welcoming a new Head Coach. After only speaking to her on the phone, I was eager to meet Sheila in person.
Traveling with the team is always a bit of an adventure. Coming from all corners of Australia, we gather in Dubai before continuing together—like a big reunion. But the real challenge hit when the truck we’d hired to transport our 24 bike bags, boxes, and luggage didn’t show up. There I was—21 people, a mountain of gear, and no transport. With only an Australian contact number, I had to think fast. I quickly found the company’s contact in Belgium, and after a few tense moments, they managed to send a truck just before closing on a Friday afternoon. Crisis averted!
Once racing began, something unexpected happened - I missed it. For the first time, I felt a pang of longing to be on the bike. But I also learned a lot in this new role. Being in a position of leadership meant I had to be careful with my words—what might be casual athlete banter can take on a whole new weight when you’re part of the staff.
I also realised how much I wanted to help physically but couldn’t, limited by what my body would allow. And I learned that being an athlete is actually the easier part. As competitors, we understand that a lot goes into the smooth running of the team, but until you’re on the other side, you have no idea just how much.
The job itself was a whirlwind. I made a few mistakes - owned them - and learned quickly. Our team performed brilliantly, finishing fourth in the gold medal count and fifth overall out of 21 countries. Not bad for a small but mighty team from Down Under.
A huge thank you to the athletes for welcoming me back, even in a new role, and to the staff - Cam, Sam, Mikey, Pete, Sheila, Lia, Christine, and Berthy - who guided me through this experience. It was incredible, and I genuinely hope I get to do it again.
This experience taught me that leadership isn’t just about making decisions—it’s about understanding how your actions and words impact others. It also reminded me that stepping into something new is always an opportunity to grow, even if you stumble a bit along the way.