A Bachelor in Physical Education awarded with Honours, and a Masters in Physical Education, looking particularly at exercise physiology and exercise prescription… these sound like ideal qualifications for a sports coach, and Graham Lowe is coaching the best. He's the Head All Black strength and conditioning coach, as well as being the National Fitness Advisor for the New Zealand Rugby Union.
So how did he begin?
“I just love sport. I did Phys Ed in sixth form and I'd always wanted to do something with professional sport. I thought this was my best opportunity, studying Physical Education at Otago.”
Graham found his studies gave him an excellent grounding in exercise physiology and prescription. Studying Phys Ed at Otago has also given him a first class network of professional contacts across the country. It's given him a great personal network too.
““Dunedin gives you a connection that people still hold onto. It's shaped me as a person; I loved the whole experience: studying, flatting, living here where the school is so close; the Dunedin culture. The course composition and teaching staff were great, but really it's the whole package. I had a real hunger, and the opportunity to pursue practical experience. I wanted to get to the top, and it's given me the opportunity to have fun and work hard with like-minded individuals.”
Graham's short-term goal is to support the All Blacks through a successful World Cup campaign in 2007. He's keen to continue working in high performance sport, possibly looking at more management as well as training.
“ Facilitating high performance in sports people - with the sports psychology side of things – is very applicable to high performance in business as well. The same techniques are needed. I'd be quite interested in that. “ Perhaps this would make it easier to achieve another immediate goal, to see more of his young family!