Starting The Athlete Academy wasn’t just a career move—it was deeply personal. It’s rooted in my own experiences as a young athlete and the frustrations I faced trying to reach my potential.
As someone who has worked with youth athletes for over a decade, I’ve made it my mission to provide the guidance I wish I had when I was their age. Here’s my story of heartbreak, resilience, and a vision to empower young athletes and their families to achieve what I couldn’t.
A Football Dream, Cut Short
Growing up, I was that kid who lived and breathed football. I was on the field every chance I got, fueled by a relentless enthusiasm for the game and a dream to play at the highest level.
But despite my passion, effort, and all the extra training I did on my own in the back yard or local park – I fell short. Two years in a row, I was the last player cut from the Western Australia schoolboys’ team and watched some of my friends and team mates travel off to play internationally…
Those rejections stung deeply. I wasn’t afraid of hard work—I was putting in the hours—but I couldn’t bridge the gap to the level I needed to reach. Looking back, I realized it wasn’t about effort alone. What I lacked was access to the expertise, guidance, and structure that could have helped me level up.
That experience stayed with me. It planted a seed that would eventually grow into The Athlete Academy.
Why Expertise Matters
As a young athlete, I was flying blind. I didn’t know how to train effectively, eat to fuel performance, or recover properly. I didn’t have anyone to guide me on building strength, improving speed, or developing mental resilience.
That’s why The Athlete Academy focuses on a holistic approach to athletic development. I want to provide young athletes with the tools and knowledge that I didn’t have—so they don’t have to face the same frustrations or fall short of their potential.
Empowering Families, Not Just Athletes
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that parents are crucial to an athlete’s success. But just like I was as a young footballer, many parents feel lost when it comes to supporting their child’s development.
That’s why The Athlete Academy isn’t just for athletes—it’s for families. We teach parents how to become effective coaches at home, breaking down complex ideas into simple, actionable steps. Together, we build a supportive environment that nurtures the whole athlete.
From Personal Pain to Purpose
Those early disappointments shaped my mission. Every time I see a young athlete struggling to reach their goals, I see a reflection of my younger self. It’s what drives me to ensure that no athlete has to face the same obstacles without the resources to overcome them.
At The Athlete Academy, we focus on age-appropriate training, bodyweight strength assessments, injury prevention, and sustainable habits. Our programs help young athletes build a solid foundation and parents play an active role in their journey.
Building the Academy I Needed
The Athlete Academy is about more than creating better athletes—it’s about creating better humans. By focusing on nutrition, recovery, habit-building, and mindset alongside athletic training, we’re shaping resilient, well-rounded individuals ready to succeed in sports and beyond.
My goal was to be the resource I desperately needed as a young athlete. A few months back I reflected on building The Athlete Academy and realised something – I had built exactly the program I would have wanted to be part of as a youngster trying to improve myself.
If you or your child are striving to take their performance to the next level, I invite you to join us. Let’s work together to turn setbacks into stepping stones and dreams into achievements.
– Rob Anderson
Founder, The Athlete Academy
