Pressure to Perform
From the intense scrutiny of social media to the impact of injuries, elite performance can come with a heavy toll. In this series, we investigate the struggles our young athletes must overcome to reach the top.
Julia was in a singlet, her muscles showing. The internet trolls pounced
The growth in women’s sport has provided avenues to thrive, but opened athletes to personal attacks. We look at how some of our stars handle it, and the risks they face.
- by Nick Wright
Expectations have derailed our youth. How did wounded Will overcome them?
The rise of young athletes making their mark has brought with it intense scrutiny to perform or perish. We take a look at the burden of expectations on elite junior athletes and how it can affect our rising stars.
- by Nick Wright
A four-year crisis threatened to break Liam. It’s set to be his making
A leading Queensland rugby star details his major injury crisis, the mental journey back and how youngsters need to be trained.
- by Nick Wright
Jeff spiralled ‘down a dark hole’. It inspired urgent calls for change
Schools are being encouraged to take steps to prevent serious knee injuries. Battle-scarred prop Jeff Lynch knows what it feels like to be cut down in your prime.
- by Nick Wright
Pins and needles shot down his body. It left Nathan at a crossroads
Worldwide changes to protect athletes from impacts of head trauma have been advised. But as the World Cup dawns, a former Wallaby cautions a balance must be struck, so as not to take the physicality out of the game.
- by Nick Wright
David was concussed over and over. Now he fears for those on fields all across Australia
Sporting legends have been felled by the heartbreaking ramifications of head trauma later in life. In part six of Pressure to Perform, a major call for community change has been issued.
- by Nick Wright
Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/sport/pressure-to-perform-20230905-p5e270.html