Cook dishes up diets for Scottish rugby team

Kristyn Comino

28 April 2014: A University of Canberra graduate is gaining international experience as a dietitian with the Scottish Rugby Union women’s team and the Scottish Institute of Sport.

“My job is a great opportunity to work with an elite international sporting team and gain experience with international health professionals who have a diverse range of knowledge and skills,” Mrs Cook, a recent Master of Nutrition and Dietetics graduate, said.

Her work includes individual consultations and dietary assessments, developing nutrition strategies to meet performance and body composition goals, creating education resources, food service guidelines and presenting on sports nutrition.

Graduate Emma Cook in Scotland, where she’s now working as a dietitian. Photo supplied

“I’m also working on an education curriculum for Scottish Rugby Union development athletes, and developing a cookbook made up of the players’ favourite easy meals, as well as assisting the team in preparation and implementation of performance strategies for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow 2014,” she said.

She said all of the skills and knowledge she gained at the University “have been vital” in her new jobs.

“The master's degree in nutrition and dietetics offers students a pragmatic approach to learning with plenty of practical experience relevant to all facets of the field."

"Every wonderful lecturer and tutor I had gave me invaluable knowledge or skills that have shaped me into the practitioner I am today - for that I am very grateful.”

Mrs Cook originally moved to Scotland last year because her husband – former University of Canberra Brumbies player Jerry Yanuyanutawa – accepted a contract to play for the Glasgow Warriors.

When she arrived last year she also went on a four-week placement with the Scotland Sevens Men’s Rugby Team as part of her degree, before scoring her new roles.

“That internship afforded me a rare opportunity to gain access to and experience working with a national sporting team. I feel that experience will build on my knowledge of sports nutrition and dietetics and assist in future employment opportunities both in Australia and abroad,” she said.

The 24-year-old knows what it takes to be an athlete, having previously been an ACT Academy of Sport rower and cyclist, as well as an Australian Institute of Sport scholarship holder for rowing. 

Originally from Canberra, Mrs Cook had never been to Scotland before she moved, joking that “the -15 degree winter was a highlight” and that the Scottish accents can sometimes be difficult to decipher, but said she’s having a fantastic time.

“Everything has been great so far. I am fortunate to work across a range of sights including Murrayfield Stadium, wider Edinburgh, Motherwell as well as Glasgow – and they are all such beautiful places. Futhermore, meeting a range of new people from support staff through to athletes has been fantastic, everyone is lovely.”