Where are They Now? – Rebekah Stuart

Rebekah Stuart: Class of 2016

Currently: Departmental Liaison Officer, NSW Government Office of Sport

Newcastle Grammar School nurtured Rebekah’s love of sport and kick- started her career in the field,
literally and figuratively speaking.

A Hunter House girl, Rebekah still has the Hunter Green Pandora ring given to her in Year 12. At that time, she was a School Prefect and First Captain of Futsal. Her favourite memories from her school days include early morning rowing sessions with the dolphins at Lake Macquarie, the exciting atmosphere at sporting carnivals, regularly advising her PE teacher,
“Mr J”, of the weekend soccer updates, travelling to Cambodia in Year 10 and: “attempting to sing and dance in the Year 10 musical and Year 11 Ball.” She still catches up regularly with her school friends.

Rebekah said her time at NGS not only encouraged her passion for sport, but also influenced her formative years in many other positive ways. She believes the School’s outstanding teaching developed her critical and analytical way of thinking, her ability to capture her thoughts in a succinct writing manner, and her confidence in speaking. She said she learned leadership skills and that perseverance and hard work pay off – including the resilience to navigate life’s hurdles and challenges. “At NGS
I learnt how to feel comfortable with being uncomfortable,” she said. “The School was extremely committed to me as a student and as a person. Teachers were always there to ask questions and to help me understand and learn.”

Rebekah’s love for sport and business led her to enrol in a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Sports Management and Leadership.

During that time, she went on a student exchange to the University of Nottingham in the UK, which she said was an incredible experience. From there Rebekah went through the NSW Government Graduate Program, through which she gained her present role. She enjoys the variety of possibilities within the government sector. “I’m not sure what’s around the corner but I’m always ready to take on new opportunities,” she said.

Rebekah is also currently a coach with the Newcastle Jets (soccer) Academy. She coaches an Under 13 Girls team in the National Premier Leagues’ (NPL) Women’s Sydney competition. “I’d love to have both a working and coaching career in high performance sport,” she said.

Rebekah’s advice for current students is to absorb as much information as possible; don’t be afraid to ask questions, be open to possibilities and be willing to take risks out of your comfort zone. “Follow your own passions, not what everyone else around you wants to do, and especially always be yourself, and your true colours will shine.”