The Fellows of ESSA

As ESSA has continued to grow over the last 30 years, so too has the leaders and pioneers within the practitioner and research space of the exercise and sports science industry.

To recognise those who have achieved a high level of professional accomplishment, responsibility and service to ESSA, ESSA Fellowship is awarded. Fellowship is an honorary title and is available to Full and Academic members of ESSA.

The History of the Fellows

The first ESSA Fellows were awarded in 2002 and as of currently, there is 50 ESSA members that have received this esteemed recognition.

Phil Hamdorf is the Chair of the ESSA Fellows Committee and is also an ESSA Past President, ESSA Fellow and Life member. Phil believes that Fellowship with ESSA highlights a member’s dedication to practicing at the highest level while helping the exercise and sports science industry to move forward.

“I regard being an ESSA Fellow as an esteemed accolade and recognition by the membership and organisation that I have attained a high professional standing, not just within the exercise and sports science profession, but also to the wider community. ESSA Fellowship acknowledges your skills, knowledge and experience, and means being part of a community of likeminded people who commit to promoting the exercise and sports science profession. The post-nominal’s ESSAF signify to colleagues and patients alike that the rigorous qualifications for fellowship have been met.

I believe long-standing members of ESSA who can demonstrate substantial professional or academic accomplishments or contributions within the field of exercise and/ or sports science should apply, as Fellowship embodies peer recognition of one’s contributions and accomplishments for the profession, in concert with a continued commitment to ESSA.”

Inclusion of Academic Members

In 2021, ESSA membership voted to change the ESSA Constitution to allow Academic members to apply for ESSA Fellowship. Prior to this, ESSA Fellowship was open to only Full ESSA members.

“This change to our Fellowship application process was to allow our researchers and academics, who are significantly improving the landscape of the exercise and sports science industry, an opportunity to be recognised for their commitment and hard work,” explains ESSA CEO, Anita Hobson-Powell.

“I was excited to announce recently that Professor Belinda Beck was our first Academic member to receive ESSA Fellowship, growing the number of female leaders being recognised by ESSA Fellowship.”

What ESSA Fellowship means to our Fellows

Chris Askew: received ESSA Fellowship in 2018

“I’ve had a strong sense of connection with the goals and vision of AAESS/ESSA since 1994. At that time, I was an Honours student at RMIT University where I had the opportunity to meet the then-President of AAESS, Prof. Tony Parker. Tony was visiting various universities around the country, promoting the newly formed association and encouraging academics and students to join. I recall that Tony spoke passionately about the need for exercise and sports scientists to come together, to develop an accreditation system that would maintain the quality of the professions, and to work towards protecting the interests and career paths of new graduates. In my mind, these remain the core goals of ESSA today. I’m proud of what ESSA has achieved, and I’m very proud to be an ESSA Fellow.”

Angela Douglas: received ESSA Fellowship in 2019

“I think back to an early career conversation I had with my Head of School at UOW where we talked about involvement with ESSA and where there may be opportunities to contribute to the profession and industry at a higher level. ESSA Fellowship was not on the radar at all, and certainly not something I have considered at all along the way as being an outcome of my involvement with ESSA.

So, I see it as an incredible honour to be recognised in this way, and for me, I hope it serves as an example to other members that the things that you can do in service and support of your peers and your profession(s) are just as valued and important pieces for our industry.

Recognition is not why any of us do it, but that does not make it less meaningful or valuable in terms of the contribution we can each have.”

Justin Keogh: received ESSA Fellowship in 2021

“It is something I’m very proud of, particularly when I look at the names and achievements of other Fellows who have conducted much of the research and developed the industry which has paved the way for many others to have a long-standing and fulfilling career in exercise and sports science.

It is also recognition of the mentoring I’ve been provided from a range of people, especially Professor Patria Hume and Professor John Cronin from my first academic position at Auckland University of Technology, and Professor Peter Reaburn from my current institution, Bond University.”

Dr. Phil Hamdorf


Professor Belinda Beck

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Looking to become an ESSA Fellow?

 

Applications are currently open to Full or Academic ESSA members for its second intake for 2021. Applications will close on Wednesday, 1 December 2021.

Click here to find out more information on applying.

 

ESSA’s list of Fellows (as of 1 November 2021):

 

John Bloomfield Year Fellowship Awarded: 2002         Thomas Penrose Year Fellowship Awarded: 2002 Ian Gillam Year Fellowship Awarded: 2003 Angus Burnett Year Fellowship Awarded: 2006 Owen Curtis Year Fellowship Awarded: 2006 Mark Hargreaves  Year Fellowship Awarded: 2006 Robert Newton  Year Fellowship Awarded: 2006 Daryl Sadgrove Year Fellowship Awarded: 2006 David Bishop Year Fellowship Awarded: 2006 Mark Brown Year Fellowship Awarded: 2006 Paul Gastin Year Fellowship Awarded: 2006 Anne Hanley  Year Fellowship Awarded: 2007 Bruce Abernethy Year Fellowship Awarded: 2007 Mike Climstein  Year Fellowship Awarded: 2007 Lars McNaughton  Year Fellowship Awarded: 2007	Anthony Leicht  Year Fellowship Awarded: 2007        Barry Ridge  Year Fellowship Awarded: 2007 Mark Armstrong Year Fellowship Awarded: 2007 Jeff Coombes  Year Fellowship Awarded: 2008 Francesco Marino  Year Fellowship Awarded: 2010 Jarrod Meerkin  Year Fellowship Awarded: 2012 Kevin Conlon Year Fellowship Awarded: 2013 Margaret Torode  Year Fellowship Awarded: 2013 Itamar Levinger  Year Fellowship Awarded: 2014 Andrew Williams  Year Fellowship Awarded: 2014 Adam Scott  Year Fellowship Awarded: 2015 Neil Smart  Year Fellowship Awarded: 2015 Damien Johnston Year Fellowship Awarded: 2015 Fiona Naumann Year Fellowship Awarded: 2016 Robert Barnard Year Fellowship Awarded: 2016	Dennis Taaffe  Year Fellowship Awarded: 2016        Brendan Joss Year Fellowship Awarded: 2016 Robert Mullins  Year Fellowship Awarded: 2017 Chris Tzarimas Year Fellowship Awarded: 2017 Rebecca Sealey Year Fellowship Awarded: 2017 Nathan Johnson Year Fellowship Awarded: 2017 Nathan Reeves  Year Fellowship Awarded: 2018  Chris Askew  Year Fellowship Awarded: 2018 Michael Baker  Year Fellowship Awarded: 2018 Sebastian Buccheri Year Fellowship Awarded: 2018 Angela Douglas  Year Fellowship Awarded: 2019 Prue Cormie  Year Fellowship Awarded: 2019 Jay Ebert  Year Fellowship Awarded: 2019 Steve Fraser Year Fellowship Awarded: 2019 Nigel Stepto Year Fellowship Awarded: 2020	Melainie ("Lainie") Cameron  Year Fellowship Awarded: 2020 Richard Turnbull Year Fellowship Awarded: 2020 Annette Raynor Year Fellowship Awarded: 2020 John Booth  Year Fellowship Awarded: 2020 Justin Keogh Year Fellowship Awarded: 2021 Nicolas Hart Year Fellowship Awarded: 2021 Belinda Beck Year Fellowship Awarded: 2021 Kate Pumpa Year Fellowship Awarded: 2021

Supporting health through exercise for 30 years 

To celebrate 30 years of Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA), we are reflecting on 30 stories which commemorate the profound impact the exercise and sports science industry and its professionals have had on our communities, and how they have benefited the health landscape in Australia.

Click here to read more like this one