John Jakeman

Official Ambassador for the 2008 Pacific School Games

Profile

Brumbies Runners player, John Jakeman, feels he has the best of both worlds in his choice of sports. “I love and play two sports, athletics in the summer and Rugby Union in the winter. They complement each other well. Sprinting keeps me sharp for football and Rugby Union keeps me strong and accustomed to hard work.”

 

John participated in a Pacific School Games when he was just 12 years old in 1996 in Perth and even now remembers the experience with fondness. He has gone on to succeed in his sporting career, including achieving professional status, the highlights of which he cites as his two seasons playing for the Brumbies Runners. “I was fortunate to play with some of the best players in the world, such as Mat Giteau, as they began to make their mark.”

 

His career is studded with personal highlights. “My first professional gift race was definitely one. I was only 18 at the time. But it was something I had worked so hard for and the achievement was all my own.”

 

Returning to sport after missing two years with a knee injury is another. “The first time I ran back on the field was an experience I will never forget.

 

“I was recently selected to represent Australia for the Australian Universities Rugby Union Team against the New Zealand Universities Team. I always feel extremely honoured to represent my country no matter what the level.”

 

These days John is also applying himself in another field having just commenced a PhD at the Australian University in Canberra in Applied Mathematics. “My research complements my sporting life well. It provides the flexibility needed for training while also providing a great way to switch off from the pressures of sport.”

 

His research focuses on physical and ecological models of estuaries and he hopes to provide assistance to coastal communities in establishing practices for agriculture, industry and urban centres to help maintain or improve the water quality in these areas.

 

John’s advice for young upcoming athletes is simple. “Make sure you enjoy whatever you are doing. As long as you do the hard work the injuries and sacrifices will all be worthwhile.”