REBECCA ANNE DOWSE
Sydney,Australia
Summary
Academic scholar and performance coach with five years experience in developing and leading individual and group strength and conditioning programs at the Olympic and Paralympic level, as well as an additional five years in professional sport and athlete development. Experienced in optimising athletic performance through strength and power training methods. Specialises in the development of mobility and proprioception. Detail-oriented, organised and dependable, with a willingness to learn and be challenged.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Strength and Conditioning Coach, NSW Institute of Sport, Australia
NSW Institute of Sport
10.2021 - Current
- Research, program and deliver high-performance strength and power programs guided by the testing and monitoring procedures to support swimming scholarship athletes
- Previously supported athletics and trampoline scholarship athletes
- Provide access and supervision to scholarship athletes working with external stakeholders
- Testing and monitoring – integrated velocity monitoring (GymAware and EliteForm), 1-RM and 5-RM, force plate strength and power testing (ForceDecks and ForceFrame), movement competency and range of motion
- Methods for monitoring external and internal load – Athlete Management System, neuromuscular function (average and peak velocity) and perception of effort (RPE and RIR)
- Work collaboratively as part of a support team to provide an integrated program based on the level and needs of individual athletes
- Understand the needs of stakeholders while responding to the requirements of elite coaches and athletes
- Provide regular feedback to the relevant stakeholders regarding athlete progress concerning individual development priorities and sport program objectives
- Utilise NSWIS approved systems for athlete programming, monitoring, reporting, and data management, including Visual Coaching Pro and Bridge Athletic
- Stay informed of current advancements in strength and conditioning training methodologies and technologies
- Lead in-house research ideas and initiative forums to produce informative content that builds the organisation's and its staff's reputation
- Undertake supervision duties of Staff/Junior Staff/Interns and Students as requested and assist with other supplementary roles and projects when required.
Strength and Conditioning Coach (Contractor), Australia
Contracted
08.2020 - 10.2021
- Delivered specialised services to a variety of organisation sizes and structures, including but not limited to the following: Analyse both the task and physical demands of elite athletes, dancers, and essential service workers exposed to high load and stress
- Design, develop and deliver testing and monitoring procedures specific to the individual and the demands of the activity
- Design and deliver small group strength training sessions to the clientele and private individualised strength and conditioning, including two Paralympic potential athletes
- Design and deliver dance, aerial, and mobility classes to beginners and advanced-level aerial artists
- Develop a gymnastics framework specific to the training environment and clientele
- Design and deliver appropriately periodised gymnastics sessions that include a variety of floor and ring drills and skills
- Design and deliver one-on-one training sessions according to the individual's needs and goals
- Design and develop training methods, skill frameworks and teaching guidelines for aerial dancers
- Deliver specialised aerial dance workshops
- Manage and maintain relevant WHS legislative requirements on premises
- Stay informed of current advancements in strength and conditioning training methodologies and technologies
- On-going up-skilling to maintain relevant certification levels, including ASCA and Gymnastics Australia
- Work as part of a multidisciplinary team and maintain effective communication with key stakeholders and primary contact points
- Program design, which included the program strategy, outcome measure, facility acquisition, and design
- Effective communication across a variety of demographics
- Provide regular feedback to the company owners/directors (e.g. session planning, clientele engagement and programming priorities)
Strength and Conditioning Coach, Queensland Academy of Sport, Australia
Queensland Academy of Sport
07.2019 - 06.2020
- Research, program and deliver high performance strength and power programs guided by the testing and monitoring procedures to support men's hockey, and track and road cycling programs
- Support the Australian men's and women's national field hockey players who resided in Queensland or visited throughout the HockeyOne season
- Testing and monitoring – integrated velocity monitoring (GymAware and EliteForm), 1-RM and 5-RM, force plate strength and power testing (ForceDecks), hamstring strength testing (NordBord), movement competency (AAA) and range of motion
- Methods for monitoring external and internal load – GPS reports, Athlete Management System interfaced with EliteForm, neuromuscular function (average and peak velocity) and perception of effort (RPE and RIR)
- Deliver on-pitch conditioning sessions to a broader group of hockey players (i.e
- Under 18 through to national men's and women's players) twice a week that were periodised throughout the season to include speed and change of direction development
- Work collaboratively as part of a support team to provide an integrated program based on the level and needs of individual QAS supported athletes
- Understand the needs of stakeholders while responding to the requirements of elite coaches and athletes
- Provide regular feedback to the relevant stakeholders regarding athlete progress concerning individual development priorities and sport program objectives
- Utilise QAS approved systems for athlete programming, monitoring, reporting, and data management
- Stay informed of current advancements in strength and conditioning training methodologies and technologies
- Undertake supervision duties of Staff/Junior Staff/Interns and Students as requested and assist with other supplementary roles and projects when required.
Strength and Conditioning Scholar, Hurley Surfing Australia HPC, Australia
Hurley Surfing Australia HPC
02.2016 - 01.2019
- Design and deliver athlete testing and monitoring – anthropometry (mass, height and 7-site skinfold), range of motion assessment, strength and power testing on a portable force plate interfaced with Ballistic Measurement System and InnerBalance (vertical squat jump, vertical countermovement jump, drop-and-stick, isometric mid-thigh pull, isometric push-up), movement competency, 15 m sprint paddle assessment using a purpose-built linear position transducer (iREX Southport, Australia), 400 m endurance paddle
- Design and develop evidence-based strength and conditioning programs guided by the testing and monitoring procedures
- Deliver individual and group strength and conditioning programs to those athletes competing on the World Qualifying Series and World Championship Tour
- Planned and delivered gymnastics sessions and strength and conditioning sessions for the Talent Identification Program Camps, as well as general supervision during skating sessions and sport-specific training sessions with the surf coaches
- Build positive relationships and communication with coaches, athletes and support staff
- Assist with projects and applied strength and conditioning research projects directed by the sports science team to validate current practice and contribute to the scientific knowledge about the sport of surfing
- Design individual PhD project, which included the development of a surf-specific neuromuscular training program centred around three main components, including (1) mobility, (2) gymnastics and dance, and (3) resistance training
- Provide regular reports at meetings to communicate athlete progress, new ideas and progress on research projects, which may include but not be limited to athlete monitoring, scholar projects, projects to validate procedures and personal PhD research projects
- Documentation and appropriate storage of athlete testing, monitoring and programming, meeting or general notes, all PhD files and documents
Motion Capture Laboratory Research Assistant, Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, Australia
Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts
04.2018 - 12.2018
- Involved in all pilot testing for the specified research project, which included collaborating with dance teachers, selecting the novel marker placement and spinal rolling patterns, creating a new labelling skeleton and writing BodyLanguage model for the data processing
- Data collection – laboratory set-up, preparing the Vicon Nexus system, calibrating the Vicon system, obtaining participant consent and questionnaires, preparing the subject, and capturing calibration and movement trials
- Processing the trials by manually labelling and gap filling
- Data storage and backup
Lead Coach and Research Assistant, Athlete Development, AUT Millennium, New Zealand
AUT Millennium
03.2010 - 02.2016
- Design and deliver athlete testing and monitoring – anthropometry and maturation (mass, height and seated height), range of motion assessment, field-based strength and power assessment (vertical countermovement jump using a Vertec, horizontal jump, medicine ball throw, 1-RM or 5-RM), force plate strength and power assessment (vertical squat jump, vertical countermovement jump, single-leg vertical countermovement jump, isometric mid-thigh pull), 30 m sprint testing using Fusion Sport timing gates, change of direction (5-10-5 shuttle test), movement competency, aerobic capacity (30-15 intermittent fitness test, yo-yo intermittent recovery test, treadmill VO2max test), balance (Y Balance Test, Biodex Balance System)
- Design and develop evidence-based strength and conditioning programs guided by the testing and monitoring procedures
- Deliver individual and group strength and conditioning programs to academy athletes
- Build and maintain positive relationships and communication with coaches, athletes, supervisors, parents, facility staff and specialists where appropriate
- Identify, develop, and facilitate workshops to inform and educate coaches, athletes, and parents on the effective use of strength and conditioning and related components such as goal setting, nutrition, and recovery
- Provide regular reports at meetings to communicate academy progress
- Provide individual reports to athlete parents, including testing results and individual coach comments
- Documentation and appropriate storage of athlete testing, monitoring and programming, subjective session notes, intern coach reviews and athlete reports
- Supervise and mentor intern coaches as part of the AUT co-op program – guide program prescription, help develop coaching skills and communication, goal setting, providing feedback and educational workshops.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy - Proprioception And Performance in Surfers
Edith Cowan University
Perth, WA2022
Master of Sport And Exercise Science -
Auckland University of Technology
Auckland, NZ2015
Postgraduate Diploma in Sport & Exercise Science -
Massey University
Auckland, NZ01.2013
Bachelor of Sport and Recreation - Exercise Science
Auckland University of Technology
Auckland, NZ2011
Skills
- Neuromuscular Development and Assessment
- Mobility and Skill Acquisition
- Periodisation Planning
- Team Collaboration
- Attention to Detail
Certification
- Gymnastics Australia; Women's Gymnastics Intermediate Coach
- Australian Strength and Conditioning Association; Level 2; Pro Structure Associate
- International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry; Level 1
- New Zealand Institute of Health and Fitness; Fitness Consultant Certificate; Level 3, 4
- International Kettlebell and Fitness Federation; Certified Kettlebell Teacher; Level 1
- XPERT Pole & Aerial Fitness; Certified Pole Teacher L1, 2
- Ecole de Pole; Certified Pole Teacher; Intermediate and Advanced
Conferenceproceedings
- Dowse, R., Secomb, J., Bruton M., Parsonage, J., & Nimphius S. (2016). Ankle joint proprioception across junior-elite and senior-elite surfers. Paper presented at ASCA International Conference on Applied Strength and Conditioning, Melbourne, Australia.
- Dowse, R., Secomb, J., Bruton M., Parsonage, J., & Nimphius S. (2017). The effect of repeat tests on ankle joint discrimination scores. Paper presented at ASCA International Conference on Applied Strength and Conditioning, Gold Coast, Australia.
- Dowse, R., Secomb, J., Bruton M., & Nimphius S. (2018). Maximum lower-body strength as a predictor of ankle proprioception in surfers. Paper presented at ASCA International Conference on Applied Strength and Conditioning, Sydney, Australia.
- Ferrier, B., Secomb, J., Parsonage, J., Dowse, R., Newton, R., Sheppard, J., & Nimphius, S. (2016). Influence of aerial manoeuvres on surfing performance. Journal of Australian Strength and Conditioning, 24(6), 34-35.
- Parsonage, J., Secomb, J. L., Sheppard, J. M., Ferrier, B. K., Dowse, R. A., & Nimphius, S. (2016). The isometric push up: What degree of elbow flexion elicits the greatest peak force. Journal of Australian Strength and Conditioning, 24(6), 46-46.
- Parsonage, J., Secomb, J. L., Sheppard, J. M., Ferrier, B. K., Dowse, R. A., & Nimphius, S. (2017). Comparison of 2-D and 3-D motion analysis in the calculation of lower-body joint angle - A pilot study. Journal of Australian Strength and Conditioning, 25(6), 41.
- Parsonage, J., Secomb, J. L., Sheppard, J. M., Ferrier, B. K., Dowse, R. A., & Nimphius, S. (2018). Gender differences in resistance training self-efficacy and outcome expectancies in elite surfing athletes. Journal of Australian Strength and Conditioning, 26(6), 46.
- Secomb, J. L., Parsonage, J., Dowse, R., Ferrier, B., Sheppard, J., & Nimphius, S. (2016). The importance of mobility in combination with strength for force absorption. Journal of Australian Strength and Conditioning, 24(6), 55-56.
- Secomb, J. L., Sheppard, J. M., Parsonage, J., Dowse, R., Ferrier, B., & Nimphius, S. (2016). Case study: The application of the acute:chronic workload ratio to resistance training monitoring and the relationship to injury. Journal of Australian Strength and Conditioning, 24(6), 53-54.
Skillsandexperience
Athlete Management System, Ballistic Measurement Systems, Bridge Athletic, EliteForm, IBM SPSS, InnerBalance, Kinovea, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Forms), R - a programming language for statistical computing and graphics, Vicon Nexus, Visual Coaching Pro, Active Movement Extent Discrimination Apparatus, Biodex Balance System, Force platforms and force transducers (ForceDecks, Force Technology and Kistler), Fusion Sport (SMARTSPEED LITE and PRO), Handheld dynamometry, Horizontal position transducers (iRex), Linear position transducers (Force Technology and GymAware), Positional tracking (GPS), VALD Performance (GroinBar and NordBord), Vicon System
Googlescholar
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=8TUdmqIAAAAJ&hl=en
Otherworkexperience
In addition to the jobs specified, from 2015 to 2016, I had similar roles in providing private strength and conditioning to developmental through to elite dancers and as the strength and conditioning coach at St Cuthbert's College for their Emerging Talent Program. To be selected for the Emerging Talent Program, team sport students must have competed at either a national and/or regional level (at the regional level the student-athlete must have been selected in the highest representative team within her sport) AND individual athletes needed to have a ranking in the top 10 at a national level in at least one event. I have also assisted supervisors and other PhD students in projects with the New Zealand Breakers, New Zealand Black Ferns, Softball Western Australia and West Perth Football Club. Prior to this, I worked in the fitness industry, hospitality, retail and construction sectors, mainly in customer service and administration roles.
Personal Information
Nationality: New Zealand
Publications
- Dowse, R., Secomb, J., Bruton, M., Parsonage, J., Ferrier, B., Waddington, G., & Nimphius, S. (2021). Ankle proprioception in male and female surfers and the implications of motor experience and lower-body strength. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.
- Dowse, R., Secomb J., Bruton M., & Nimphius S. (2020) Ankle proprioception, range of motion and drop landing ability differentiates competitive and non-competitive surfers. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport.
- Dowse, R., McGuigan, M., & Harrison, C. (2020) The effects of a resistance training intervention on strength, power and performance in adolescent dancers. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 34(12, 3446-3453.
- Parsonage, J., Secomb, J., Dowse, R., Ferrier, B., Sheppard, J., & Nimphius, S. (2018). The assessment of isometric, dynamic, and sports-specific upper-body strength in male and female competitive surfers. Sports, 6(2), 53.
- Parsonage, J., Secomb, J., Sheppard, J., Ferrier, B., Dowse, R., & Nimphius, S. (2018). Upper-body strength measures and pop-up performance of stronger and weaker surfers. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research Published Ahead of Print.
References
Provision of athlete, coach, employment and academic references available on request.
Timeline
Strength and Conditioning Coach, NSW Institute of Sport, Australia
NSW Institute of Sport
10.2021 - Current
Strength and Conditioning Coach (Contractor), Australia
Contracted
08.2020 - 10.2021
Strength and Conditioning Coach, Queensland Academy of Sport, Australia
Queensland Academy of Sport
07.2019 - 06.2020
Motion Capture Laboratory Research Assistant, Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, Australia
Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts
04.2018 - 12.2018
Strength and Conditioning Scholar, Hurley Surfing Australia HPC, Australia
Hurley Surfing Australia HPC
02.2016 - 01.2019
Lead Coach and Research Assistant, Athlete Development, AUT Millennium, New Zealand
AUT Millennium
03.2010 - 02.2016
Doctor of Philosophy - Proprioception And Performance in Surfers
Edith Cowan University
Master of Sport And Exercise Science -
Auckland University of Technology
Postgraduate Diploma in Sport & Exercise Science -
Massey University
Bachelor of Sport and Recreation - Exercise Science
Auckland University of Technology
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