Alumni Stories
UC alumnus PJ Roberts reflects on his journey from UC degree to global career
Despite having lived in Singapore for almost three decades, UC alumnus PJ Roberts still refers to himself a ‘proud Canberran’, having been born and raised here.
The former pro-soccer player, who played for Canberra Cosmos in the old National Soccer League (NSL), studied at UC while at the height of his athletic career, and reflects on his time at the University as one of the best periods of his life.
"The vibe around campus was outstanding. There were athletes scattered around so there was a really strong sporting culture – the atmosphere and enthusiasm around campus was brilliant,” PJ says.
“There was a strong sporting feel and it was so interconnected – you were in classes with people from all these different sports, and everyone was really involved.”
During his time studying, PJ – alongside his teammates – were preparing for the 1996 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Spain. This meant that three times a week, he would travel a round-trip to Sydney by mini-van, leaving Canberra at around 5pm and returning in the early hours of the morning. Then the next day, he’d get up, attend his classes, and do it all again.
“I obviously needed to be very disciplined and diligent in my studies, and while I wasn’t looking for shortcuts, it was great that the pathway I was on was recognised,” PJ says.
“There was a real understanding and offers of support – there was an excellent appreciation of what an elite athlete needed and the skills needed to be able to do both – it was a really nurturing environment in that sense.”
For PJ, one of the major benefits of studying while undertaking an elite sport was that it gave him something else to focus on, that wasn’t directly related to his career.
“Being an elite athlete is all encompassing, and really does dictate your lifestyle overall. You know what you need to be eating, how much sleep you’re getting, you’re not socialising and you’re very, very disciplined in every single element of your life,” he says.
“I found that study was such a benefit in that it provided balance. There’s only so much training you can do each day. It was a wonderful distraction and kept me really alert.
“It also allows you to meet people from different walks of life, and build friendships outside of sport.”
In 2003, PJ retired from professional football due to injury—a career that had taken him to the USA, Malaysia, and ultimately Singapore. He then transitioned into the corporate world, along with doing TV work with ESPN and FOX Sports as a football pundit.
Following several prominent leadership roles in banking and within the sporting industry, in 2029, PJ has landed at the Australian International School (AIS) as the Managing Director – Operations: a role that he feels is the perfect fit given his Bachelor of Education from UC.
As President for 12 years, he’s also found a home away from home as an Ambassador and Honorary Life Member of the Australia and New Zealand Association (ANZA) Singapore.
“It’s a 7000-strong membership association that has a real core of Australians and New Zealanders. There’s social activities for adults and children, so it’s a really big part of my life and a way for me to stay connected with people from home,” PJ says.
For his role within the association and AIS, PJ was recently recognised by the Australian High Commission in Singapore in their ‘60 for 60’ campaign – in honour of 60 years of the Australia Singapore partnership.
“The High Commission recognised 60 people who have been integral to the success of building that partnership, and I was named as one of those people, which was very humbling,” he says.
And in his own words, many of his achievements wouldn’t have been possible without his time in Canberra and at UC.
“I’m so grateful for the outstanding opportunities that Canberra provided me. I had wonderful schooling, wonderful sporting opportunities, and I got a great education at the University of Canberra,” he says.
“It really did set me up for success in life after professional football.”
Story by Elly McKay, photos supplied