Football certainly runs in the blood of the Hunt family, as former South African footballer and current SuperSport United head coach, Gavin Hunt’s daughter, Kaitlin, is making her mark as biokineticist and coach.
From a young age, Hunt says her happy place was always on the sport field and became a vital part of her life, saying: “Throughout school I did mostly every sport and I centered my school life around sport.”
Hunt has an undying passion for the game as she reveals her greatest ambition is to coach for a top professional football team.
Speaking with Tlamelo Kganakga, Hunt chats more about her journey and how she chooses to remain focused.
Kaitlin, thank you for chatting to us. Please tell us about yourself and where you are from?
I was originally born in Cape Town, however I have lived in Johannesburg for most of my life. We traveled a fair bit due to my dad’s career as a football coach. I went to Holy Rosary School in Johannesburg for my whole schooling career, then moved back to Cape Town to further my studies at the University of the Western Cape, where I spent 4 years studying and coming out with 2 degrees – Sports Science and Biokinetics. I completed my Biokinetics Internship at the Centre for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine in Johannesburg which is where I currently reside. I am currently a Biokineticist, a coach as well as a social media manager.
When and where did your love for sport begin and did you play?
I have always loved sport and it has played a vital role in my life. Throughout school I did mostly every sport and I centered my school life around sport. Every morning before school and every afternoon after school I was on the sports ground, it was truly where I was happiest. I think that is where my love for it started. After school I found a love for coaching and injuries which is where I chose to further my studies in the various fields. I have always tried to be involved in sport in any capacity I can.
You are a biokineticist. What does it take to become one?
The path I took to become a Biokineticist is that I studied 3 years of Sports Science which I graded Summa Cum Laude with. Once completed, you can either further your studies at Honours Level doing Sports Science or Biokineticis, I chose Biokinetics. Once completed one must do a year of internship at a certified practice that is registered with HPCSA to take interns. I completed mine and went straight into working the next year. The year of internship allows for practical and clinical experience in the field and it is compulsory.
Please tell us about Warriors FC.
Warriors FC is a football club which is based out of Discovery Soccer Park in Wanderers and Parkmore in Johannesburg. They start from U4s all the way through to U19. They cater for competitive and noncompetitive players. I am currently taking on the task of girl’s football and really shifting more focus onto that across all age groups as well as coaching too. The focus on girls’ football is getting more girls involved and offering good coaching.
What are some of the challenges you have faced and how did you overcome them?
Some of the challenges I have faced is the profession of Biokinetics still being unknown to many. Having to explain the roles and responsibilities to people is a way of educating people. Having more of us in the sporting environment has also aided with the knowledge of the profession. Another challenge has been females working in male centered environments. Having to change opinions and minds that a gender does not change your profession and knowledge.
What are some of your career highlights to date?
Career highlights have been being able to work in football. It has always been a dream to be in that environment and see the ins and outs of the game from the inside which I have thoroughly enjoyed. I have been lucky enough to be exposed to that environment on a smaller scale and it has only furthered my dream to want to work there full time.
Who and what inspires you?
I have always taken inspiration from my dad. He has always fought his way through the hard times and come out stronger. The industry he is in can be very cut throat and challenging on the daily, your job is never safe and can be taken away very quickly so he has been resilient in the industry for many years now.
How do you choose to remain focused in what you do?
I remain focused on what I do as I truly I’m never satisfied. I have big dreams and aspirations which keep me going daily. I constantly want to better myself by adding education and upskilling myself which is what drives me to want to achieve more in my life. Wanting to achieve more drives you to be ultra-focused every day. By staying content with your current situation is never good enough for me as I want to achieve more by constantly educating myself more.
Who are some of the sportswomen you admire and why?
Some sports women I admire are Amanda Dlamini. Obviously, she represented her country on the big stages which is something to look up to. I truly love how she advocates for women’s sport and women’s football. Something to admire is that she commentates on the PSL which is the males league of football, she takes up that space so well. Janine van Wyk is another woman who has been monumental for sport and football, she truly paved the way for football and put South African Women’s Football on the map.
Why is it important for women to get into coaching and anything that has to do with sport?
I believe it is important for women to get into coaching and sports in general as just as there are males there has to be the same amount of females and there currently is not. I truly believe women should be taking up the same spaces as men and doing the jobs they do too. Women should get into sports and coaching as there is such a need and demand for them, they are wanted in so many sporting spaces.
What’s your greatest career ambition?
My greatest career ambition would be to work or coach for a top professional football team. It drives me every day to work towards that goal. I won’t stop until I have get to that level or higher. I have grown up around the environment and I have always wanted to work there full time – in whatever capacity I can offer.
What’s your advice to women who aspire to be in sport?
My advice for aspiring women in sports to keep pushing when it comes to jobs and getting involved in sports. DO NOT stop taking up space and being in environments where we all belong. The more women we see working in sport only drives the next women more to want to be involved. Women in sport also need to encourage others to do the same. Working as a unit and advocating for one another only means success for women as a whole.
What’s your advice for success?
Success is measured on a different scale for everyone. Everyone has a different idea and understanding of success. I have always put success down to what you put in which will bring about the outcome. Hard work and consistency are two things I live by and believe in putting them into place. Success is something which comes into your path when it is your time. It comes about at different times for people and something which is written in our journey.
(0 rating, 0 votes, rated)
Loading...
