Eat, Pray, AFLW with North Melbourne’s Kim Rennie

ARTICLE

09 November 2023

3 min read

Physical health Wellness

We learn how North Melbourne AFLW player Kim Rennie trains, nourishes herself and balances her other commitments, all while maintaining a competitive mindset.

I’ve always loved sport. As a kid, I played Auskick before making the switch to basketball, a sport I played for years. In 2017, I joined the Western Bulldogs as a rookie, and stayed there for four years before joining North Melbourne in 2022. I recently reached a significant milestone: playing my 50^th AFLW game.

Being part of the North Melbourne program has helped me realise how much physical and mental work needs to be done, both on and off the field, to stay competitive. Our coaches always reiterate the importance of consistency and routine, whether that’s around night sleep, down time, or even communication.

When I find a routine that works for me, I try and stick with it, but I’m also conscious of how to improve on that to be the best I can be.

Balancing sport and life

My life is busy. Like many AFLW players, I still have a job and career outside of football, which makes it difficult to balance my commitments.

I want to be a high performer in all aspects of my life, so I always try and prioritise what I’m doing at the time. When I show up to something – whether it’s work, training, or match day – I want to be able and willing to give it my all.

For me, being organised and planning ahead is the key to staying on top of things professionally, mentally, and physically. I plan around our fixture and training schedule, and meal prep at the start of each week. This means I always have nutritious food on hand, and I don’t have to worry about eating late or rushing home to cook before training. It also frees up time in my day-to-day life that I can spend with my friends and family, which is essential for my mental health.

Meal planning can be difficult, but it’s really rewarding as it allows me to do what I love. I also try to find time so I can exercise just for fun or maintenance, outside of my formal training commitments.

A day in the life of an AFLW player

When it comes to being a professional AFLW athlete, no two weeks are the same.

Generally, I work at my job four days a week and train three to four times a week. Plenty of things impact what a ‘regular’ footy week looks like, including match days and whether we’re in or out of season. Having an interstate match also affects the week (and can be tiring!), but it’s so exciting to see different parts of Australia, meet ‘Roos fans from different states, and spend extra time with the team.

Since I joined the AFLW, we’ve already seen a huge amount of change around the structure of a working week. This year, we’re able to get more time in the club as a group, which helps with consistency, team culture and recovery. We’re in at the club roughly 20 hours a week, which can include early mornings or late evenings. In that time, we fit in strength training, review meetings, line meetings and recovery.

It's been incredible to see how far the AFLW has come in terms of skills, standards, and its level of professionalism. I’m so excited to see where women’s football will be in the next five or ten years, and I’m so grateful to be a part of it.

How I recover

Footy is a demanding sport, with plenty of running, physical contact, and opportunities for injury. Recovery is a vital part of performance.

We don’t always have the luxury of taking a day off after a game to solely focus on recovery, so staying on top of my schedule helps me find time to recuperate. Small things can have a big impact. After a game, I try to stay hydrated, get as much sleep as possible and get my body moving again with a light walk or mobility session.

When it comes to my mental health, I’m very open with my friends and family about the ups and downs of football. They always listen and help support me when my mood dips. I also stay engaged in things outside of footy, so that the game doesn’t completely consume me. In a similar vein to physical recovery, doing small things consistently can have a positive mental health impact. I try to ensure I eat well, get at least eight hours of quality sleep each night, and get outside for some fresh air and sunlight every day. I also advocate putting your hand up for a little extra support if you’re not feeling 100% mentally.

In my time off from work and footy, I love to slow the pace right down and go fishing. I also love to travel and spend quality time with my friends and family, who keep me grounded and give me the positive energy I need to keep performing in work, life and footy.

Staff Writer

Staff writers come from a range of backgrounds including health, wellbeing, music, tech, culture and the arts. They spend their time researching the latest data and trends in the health market to deliver up-to-date information, helping everyday Australians live healthier lives. This is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances. The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstance

Disclaimer:
This is general information only and is not intended as financial, medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a financial adviser, or medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances.

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