Emirates Western Force Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach Brendyn Appleby has been awarded the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association’s top honour for service to the association at their international conference over the weekend.
Appleby, who has been a key member of the Emirates Western Force’s strength & conditioning unit since the club’s inception in 2006, received the Bruce Walsh Award recognising his outstanding work in the strength and conditioning industry and contribution to the Association.
The strength and conditioning coach has also coordinated workshops, supervision and guest speakers for local strength and conditioning coaches.
Appleby, who received the award at the weekend’s International Conference of Applied Strength & Conditioning on the Gold Coast, says he was surprised to receive the award in what is a humbling acknowledgement.
“It’s very special to be recognised by my peers,” he said. “It helps when you love what you do. Here at the Force you get to work with some very motivated guys trying to physically improve themselves.
“For local developing S&C coaches, there are a limited number of opportunities in the industry so it’s about helping to expose them to as many people and opportunities as they can so that when does arise, they’re ready.”
The Bruce Walsh Award is named after Bruce Walsh, who was integral in setting up the ASCA. He was an esteemed weightlifting coach who mentored at with the Australian Weightlifting Association at two Olympic Games, three Commonwealth Games and four World Championships. Former winners include Julian Jones, the Head S&C at the Australian Institute of Sport, and Dr Greg Wilson, Head of the Indonesian Olympic Committee and Editor-in-Chief of the Australian Journal of Strength and Conditioning.