WOMEN OF WINTER | IN FOCUS WITH ALANA RYBICKI
Published Thu 20 Oct 2022
Support staff are a key component of an elite athlete’s success and for the next installment of our Women of Winter series we get some precious insight in what it means to work in high-performance environments courtesy of Olympic Winter Institute of Australia’s People and Performance Manager, Alana Rybicki.
Alana Rybicki is an experienced sports administrator who has worked for the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWIA) for almost twenty years and is currently delivering wellbeing services to athletes, and leading the delivery of key strategic projects. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce, Master of Business (Sport Management) and qualifications in career development.
Her background in sport program operations and experience developing and implementing human resource policies and procedures provides Alana a unique perspective and skill set in the snowsports world.
Alana, how were you introduced to the sport?
My grandparents lived and worked at Mt Buller for many years. When I finished my Bachelor of Commerce degree I had not completed any corporate work experience and was applying for professional jobs with no luck.
Through my family contacts I was offered a volunteer position at the La Trobe University Mt Buller campus. I moved in with my grandparents for the duration of the 2002 snow season and worked at the University full time, assisting with various marketing projects and event coordination.
One of my responsibilities was to support the manager of the 2002 FIS Aerial Skiing World Cup event. It was an amazing experience that introduced me to the sport of Aerial Skiing and the Mt Buller Freestyle Skiing community.
Did this experience influence your desire to want to pursue a career in the industry?
I had always wanted to pursue a career in sport management, but I had never considered winter sports until I spent a season living and working at Mt Buller. Working directly with athletes and coaches at the World Cup level was a highlight. Being able to add value and contribute to high performance sport outcomes was really fulfilling.
During this time I was able to build a strong professional network which resulted in me being recommended for a job with the OWIA. I commenced in an operational role, coordinating programs under the guidance of expert coaches and administrators for snow and ice sports.
One of my priority career goals was to eventually apply my learnings in support of Australian athletes at the Olympic Winter Games. Facilitating a positive Olympic experience for athletes and ensuring they have the best possible opportunity to achieve their sporting goals is so important! When I was appointed Manager of the Vancouver Subsite in 2010 I was thrilled to be able to make a contribution to the athletes’ journey.
Can you tell us a bit more about your current role with the OWIA and what it involves?
I have been in the role of People and Performance Manager since 2018. It is a hybrid role with a dual focus on the provision of Wellbeing & Engagement servicing and the management of human resources across the organisation.
The role evolved in response to the Australian Institute of Sport’s prioritisation of, and investment in athlete wellbeing across the whole of sport. I am responsible for delivering services to athletes that improve their ability to effectively navigate the critical transition points throughout and beyond their sporting career, as well as ensuring the organisation has in place best practice systems and policies in the areas of governance and human resources. The role actively contributes to the OWIA high performance culture and values of Excellence, Respect, Integrity and Health.
What is your favourite part about your role?
It’s been very rewarding to see wellbeing acknowledged and embraced by the winter sports community as a key contributor to sustained success, supporting coaches and athletes to ‘win well’ at an elite level.
The OWIA has led the charge on this front, incorporating wellbeing into all areas of strategic planning, learning and development programs and individual athlete case management. Sharing knowledge and assisting colleagues to develop the skills to proactively manage their own wellbeing is also really enjoyable.
Can you give us some insight into what your experience at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games was like?
The Beijing Games were unique, given they took place during the COVID-19 pandemic. The OWIA team collaborated with the Australian Olympic Committee intensely for 18 months leading into the event in order to manage operational challenges.
My role as the People & Wellbeing Lead was to prioritise the health and safety of Australian team members and contribute to the development of a high performance environment. A positive by-product of the restrictions in place on the ground in China was the opportunity it presented for us to form a strong bond as the Australian team, and support each other on and off the ice/snow.
Communal spaces set up in the Zhangjiakou Village allotment were well used with athletes and staff across a range of sports spending time together, sharing meals and information about snow conditions and facilities, playing games and enjoying viewing parties to cheer on teammates.
Athletes were also well supported with a full gym setup, extensive medical support and a food service that provided all the comforts of home. I certainly wasn’t surprised that the Australian team achieved its best ever results at the Beijing Games, it's a credit to our talented athletes and their extraordinary efforts in challenging conditions.
What would you say are some of the unique challenges for women in the snow sports industry?
Working in elite sport is demanding, it requires you to be available 24/7 and travel considerably at times. It’s important to effectively manage your work/life balance and be educated about the importance of self care. It takes a village, so make sure you have a support network in place to ensure you are thriving in all aspects of your career and life.
What is some advice that you would give to women interested in exploring a career in the industry?
I have been lucky enough to work with some incredible female mentors who have guided me throughout my career, encouraged me to share new ideas and be brave when it comes to asking questions or challenging the status quo.
It’s pleasing to see more and more females employed in the industry and I highly recommend finding yourself a mentor if you can.
