ROBERT BAILEY SHIELD 

Bachelor of Physical Education (PDHPE) – Australian College of Physical Education
NSW Dept Education Teachers Certificate 
Certificate III Fitness/Group Instructor
Certificate IV Personal Trainer

I have been passionate about sport since the age of four. My obsession with sport started as a youngster attending Little Athletics to watch my sister compete. Being too young to join, I would eagerly await the under-age race held each week at the side of the grandstand.

Although having a fondness for the North Sydney Bears, due to my uncle playing rugby league, I started playing rugby union, firstly with the Epping Rams, eventually representing  Eastwood in age group teams from under 10’s and then progressing through to colts and  grade, winning numerous State Age Championships and Club Premierships on the way.

During that time, I was fortunate to play with some of the country’s top representatives, and as a member of Eastwood touring teams I travelled to USA, England, Ireland and Wales.

In 1996, I went to the USA to play with and coach the Rockaway Rugby Club in New York, and enjoyed being part of the club’s success in winning the Rockaway 7’s Tournament for the first time.

Returning to Australia in 1998, I enrolled at ACPE, graduating as a Bachelor of Physical Education.

Whilst attending college, I fulfilled a number of roles such as group leader, Peer Support Program (ACPE) and coordinator for the Lung Foundation Corporate Rugby 7’s.

Prior to graduating, I completed an 8 week practicum at Toyota-Shokki Rugby Union in Japan, under the guidance of ARU and NSWRU coach Scott Wisemantel.

My responsibilities were to undertake an analysis of the players for injury prevention, which involved biomechanical assessments and reports. I was also mentored in the area of strength and conditioning and skill acquisition.

After graduating from college, I worked at Active Fitness as a gym floor supervisor. I also spent a number of years involved in PE teaching at schools, including Kincoppel School, Rose Bay and the Kings Preparatory School, Parramatta. To date I have continued to teach in primary K- 6 and PE on a casual basis, at various schools in the Sydney Metropolitan Area. 

With a growing passion for health and fitness, and holding various coaching qualifications, I undertook the role of Development Officer at Eastwood Rugby, which involved the management of the club’s junior and schools’ development program.

Following this appointment, and to gain further life experiences, I spent six months employed at Club Med, Ria Bintan Indonesia, as a Children’s Activities Coordinator. 

However, my heart was set on pursuing a career in health and fitness and I accepted a role as Colts Strength and Conditioning Coach at EDRUFC, under the direction of Head Coach, Chris Hickey.

I have always enjoyed running, to maintain personal fitness and to keep the competitive spirit. I have taken part in many distance running events, having competed in half marathons, marathons and triathlons throughout the state, including the Canberra Marathon, Six Foot Track Ultra and the Sydney Marathon, finishing 26th place in 2008.

Having completed the last three Australian Ironman Triathlon Events in around 10 hours, my desire has been fuelled to one day complete a sub-10 hour effort and qualify for the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii.

Twenty years ago this goal would not have been achievable, as my health and fitness levels were dramatically different.

 In my transition to high school, I was already starting to show the signs of stress and overeating. This certainly didn’t get any easier throughout my teenage years and unfortunately, I spent the majority of my schooling overweight.

Not only did this lower my self esteem, but it made it difficult to pursue the athletic ventures I had once enjoyed. At the age of 17 I was out of school and started to take my rugby a little more seriously. I started to train regularly and had dreams of one day playing at the top level.

When I was 19, although quite fit and strong, I weighed in at 89kg and played in the front row. As my rugby career advanced so did my fitness; self esteem grew and I was starting to achieve in all areas.

These days I weigh a healthy 68kg, and I feel fortunate to have gone through those experiences, as I know how difficult it can be publicly and personally.

I have never looked back, and in the last 15 years I have totally re-invented myself as a competitive triathlete/runner and a respected health professional.

In 2007, I took a break from teaching to follow my health background into the public hospital system at the Royal North Shore Hospital.

During my short time at the hospital, I was fortunate to work in the Emergency Department, alongside some amazing doctors and nurses. As a team member, not only did I witness patients being treated for a multitude of reasons, but having a ‘hands on’ role, I was at times pushing them straight into heart surgery.

Not only did I see the obvious effects of poor health choices, but saw how important it is to keep an active lifestyle and embrace what many of us take for granted, our lives and the ability to choose.

Currently, in addition to casual teaching, I am conducting fitness classes at Fitness First Club, as well as operating my own business, Icycle & SHIELDSPORT, as a personal trainer and health professional.