By Alexandra Fairfield-Smith
While her studies may be complete, Mitzi Adamson's time in Bond University colours is far from over.
Fresh from graduating with a Master of Nutrition and Dietetics, she hopes to remain on the Gold Coast as she pursues a career in sports dietetics while continuing to chase success with the Bull Sharks in the AFLW team.
AFL has been a constant throughout Mitzi's five years at Bond.
Originally from regional Victoria, she moved to the Gold Coast in 2022 to study a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science, attracted by both the accelerated course and the opportunity to continue her love for AFL.
She started training during her first week at Bond and has remained a valued member of the club ever since.
Her studies and sporting career often went hand in hand, regularly putting classroom lessons into practice on herself.
"I've loved trying new things and testing out things I've learnt to see what works," she said.
"There's a real connection between the two, obviously, so it's fun to be my own guinea pig."
Adamson said her passion for dietetics started because of her own experiences as an athlete and the nutritional challenges she faced throughout her sporting career.
This knowledge has also allowed her to give back to her teammates, especially as awareness around nutrition in women's sport continues to grow.
"Now that I've finished, it's been really good. I've tried to promote my own skills and reach out to the team with a bit more nutrition guidance because there isn't a lot around the clubs at the moment," she said.
"I've released different things like game day nutrition timelines and advice around eating and training, just to promote a more positive environment regarding nutrition."
She credits Bond for helping her balance life as a student-athlete while providing valuable opportunities and contacts throughout both her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
Now she is doing an internship with the Brisbane Broncos while working towards her long-term goal of becoming a sports dietitian.
"The long-term goal is to get into sports dietetics," she said.
"That's always been my driving passion and where I want to end up eventually."