If you’d asked Matt Jeffriess in his final year of high school, he wouldn’t have been able to tell you what he wanted to do. A PhD definitely wasn't on his list.
“For starters, I wasn't top of the class. But I really loved the sports and the science subjects I did, so there was a natural synergy,” he says.
That passion led him on a journey that has taken him from being a sporting coach, onto a PhD and a senior role in a health-tech business.
More than academia
Matt completed his PhD through the UTS Industry Doctorate Program. This was a partnership between Matt, his industry partner the National Rugby League (NRL) and UTS.
His focus: to improve the decision-making of rugby league referees.
“There are so many facets to the psychology of decision-making. There's a level of physical fitness that's required, but also the referee’s sleep, recovery and nutrition impact how they perform for 80 minutes on match day,” Matt says.
Matt drew insights from a wealth of data already collected by the NRL, which he says, was a benefit of being in an IDP.
“The referees were wearing a lot of sport technology that was collecting data without much validated or directed application," he says.
Applying knowledge on the field
“The NRL wanted specific targeted research. But they also wanted someone embedded within their physical performance program. It meant that from day one I was a full-time sports scientist for the referees,” he says.
Through his research, Matt wrote plans to improve a referee’s ability to maintain fitness, get into the best positions on the field to make the right decisions and cope with overwhelming pressure.
“We now have a really good idea of the physical and psychological requirements of being a referee. We can look at what stimuli they are taking in, how they are processing it, and how to better score a referee’s performance,” he says.
“As an industry-embedded PhD, you're there every day working with a range of colleagues. I would regularly talk to the physio or sports doctor about a potential injury, or a recovery program then communicate the outcomes and plan directly to a referee or their coach.”
I was on the field for NRL matches, State of Origins, Grand Finals and World Cup matches. Because of my proximity to the referees, I was invested in their performance - not only for my research but on a personal level too.
Opening career doors
It was those unique experiences that laid the foundations for Matt’s current role as the Global Customer Success Manager for HITIQ, an Australian health-tech business that measures the impact of sport concussions.
“I'm proof that you don't have to go into academia after a PhD,” says Matt.
“Having a PhD has opened opportunities and roles in emerging technologies, where I have become an asset to the business because of my research experience.”
“Exercise science is an area where a three-year bachelors degree is pretty common. You need to do that extra study or have that industry exposure to make you more attractive for a full-time position.”
Matt now works to manage and treat concussions in sports across the globe. So far, he’s been involved in the AFL, NRL, international rugby competitions and the English Premier League.
“We use our wearable technology and the data collected to guide the rules and regulations of sports to make the games as safe as possible,” he says.
Dealing with such a complex and damaging health condition can be tricky and technical. While his job isn’t directly related to his PhD, the skills and knowledge he learnt are critical to achieving success in his current role.
Matt ran fitness sessions for NRL coaches. Image supplied
Talking the talk
In particular, he often finds himself in technical conversations with doctors, physios, academics and data scientists.
“Concussion is such a topical issue for a number of sporting bodies. Our technology is being used in a range of university studies all over the world," Matt explains.
"When talking to academics who are doing related research, having the PhD background gives me credibility. I understand the ethical considerations, the data handling considerations and the timelines that you need to get this research rolled out, having done it myself.”
When asked if he ever predicted the direction of his post-PhD career, Matt says:
“I never thought I'd be working in sports concussion or travelling the world with a health-tech business. It’s fulfilling to help people live a long and healthy life after their sporting career ends.”
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