Australian Football Association of North America

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Former Essendon fitness adviser John Quinn has been reunited with Gold Coast Coach Kevin Sheedy with his appointment to head up the club's Sports Science department. Quinn, who holds a degree in Sport Science and a Master of Science and Technology, has worked in the sports and fitness industry for over 25 years.  He is a member of Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA). He is also an accredited physiologist. Quinn was at Essendon with Sheedy from 1998 to 2008, during which time the Bombers were perennial finalists. They famously cruised through the 2000 season with just one loss (in Round 20 against the Bulldogs) and went on to win the Grand Final.

Over the years, Quinn has worked with and coached a number of elite athletes from a variety of sports including track and field, swimming, soccer, rugby, tennis and cricket. He was the 400 meters coach for track and field at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, served as fitness coach for two of the AFL's International Series against Ireland, worked with the Socceroos in 2006 and an Indian cricket team in 2008. He recently opened his own business, a high performance and rehabilitation service for aspiring and serious sportspeople, at Olympic Park Sports Medicine Center in Melbourne and has also been working as a health and lifestyle consultant to the corporate sector.

Quinn, who grew up in New South Wales, said he was excited at the prospect of becoming involved with AFL football again and is looking forward to developing the new team  "... from the ground up ... and ... implementing the best systems and ... right culture that will continue to benefit the players not only in years one and two but well into the future." He is also looking forward to working with Kevin Sheedy again, whom he described as a  "... rare individual ..."  with  "... a unique ability to get people to see the opportunities in front of them."

Sheedy believes Quinn's knowledge of the region as well as his extensive knowledge and experience in sports fitness makes him the perfect person for the job. Sheedy, who said Quinn had never seen a footy game at the time of his appointment to Essendon, said he was looking for someone who could work with athletes rather than someone with just a focus on football. He pointed out the success which resulted from Quinn's work at Essendon and also said a number of former assistants to Quinn are carrying his legacy and influence through with their own work as fitness coaches at other AFL clubs.

Quinn will start full time with the Gold Coast team in November, but will work as a consultant prior to his move north.

Source: Jessica Ries, Club Media Release