A star on the court and in his career, Australian Roller Sammy White’s journey is a testament to finding balance.
On the court, White has represented Australia alongside some of the greatest names in the game, Tristan Knowles, Shaun Norris, Bill Latham as well as the next wave including the likes of Eithen Leard and Jaylen Brown.
When he’s out of tournament mode, his energy shifts between training and his work at leading consultancy firm PwC Australia.
“I feel I’ve been able to strike a good balance between work and sport. Consulting can be unpredictable, and I understand there will be times when late hours or schedule changes are necessary to meet deadlines — which can occasionally impact training commitments,” said White.
“Being adaptable and not dwelling on those shifts has been a key skill in managing both roles. I’m fortunate to have received strong support from both PwC and the Rollers staff at Basketball Australia, which has made a big difference.”
Originally from Adelaide, South Australia - White relocated to Wisconsin, USA after to pursue opportunities in wheelchair basketball.
The experience served another purpose too with Sammy engaging in and completing tertiary education with the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
He departed his USA chapter with invaluable college basketball experience and qualifications as a cyber security expert with Bachelor of Business Administration and Information Technology as well as MSE-PD Athletic Administration and Higher Education Leadership.
Although White had concerns on his transition into full time employment with a break between graduation, he found a perfect pathway with an integrated workplace program offered with Queensland Academy of Sports (QAS).
“I always believed there would be opportunities within my field, but I was initially uncertain about the right timing or location to pursue them seriously,” White said.
“I had a significant gap between graduating from university and entering the workforce, which added to my concerns about how smoothly I could transition into a professional role with a non-linear resumé,”
“One of the more challenging conversations when seeking employment is around flexibility — specifically, whether a role can accommodate the training demands of elite sport. These discussions can be hit or miss, often depending on the organisation’s culture and, to some extent, timing and luck in finding the right employer who understands those needs,”
“I joined PwC through a joint initiative between the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) and PwC — a three-month elite athlete program designed to provide athletes with valuable work experience and an introduction to professional skills to support their transition beyond sport,” added White.
“When I saw that PwC was not only a leading organisation in its field but also had a team working directly in my area of study, Cyber Security, I jumped at the opportunity. I was fortunate to be selected and began my placement at the end of 2022,”
“Even more fortunately, I was offered a full-time position following the program. It’s been an ideal starting point for building my post-sport career and preparing for the future,” White added.
Matthew Griffin, Senior Manager at PwC has been a central figure in Sam’s career from since connecting through the QAS integrated program.
Griffin is Sam’s Team Leader, and they work alongside a Cybersecurity and Privacy team of over 130 strong, managing contracts across a multitude of industries across Australia.
Griffin spoke to Sam’s introduction to the company and the intersection of elite sports and PwC’s workplace environment.
“Sam was one of six athletes who joined us on the 12-week (Elite Athlete) program, and after the 12 weeks we were very keen to keep him in the team,” said Griffin.
“After the program finished, I stayed in contact with Sam, and we worked to bring him on the team in a full-time capacity as a graduate earlier this year. Aside from his technical knowledge, I think one of the key things that Sam brings the team is a drive and willingness to learn and grow, that would stem from his time on the court,”
“He is always one of the first people in the office, and after a full day at work will go home and train in the evenings, then come back and do it all again the next day – usually with a smile on his face (and a cup of coffee in his hand),” Griffin added.
“Being quite a specialised area of the business, most of our team come to us with specialised knowledge, experience and training. Sam is no different to that, with a Certificate IV in Cybersecurity and a degree in Information Technology.
“When he started with us at the beginning of the year, he joined as part of our graduate cohort, which provides a structured program for new starters,”
“Some of the transferable skills and traits he brings that he would have gained from basketball are his discipline, communication skills and his ability to work well in a team environment. I think these provide a solid foundation for anyone, regardless of profession.”
There is a central theme of creating possibilities between sports and industry organisations. PwC, like Basketball Australia is focussed on advancing projects that amplify the accessibility and inclusivity of their work environments.
“We’re dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace that values diverse perspectives, experiences and skills, including those from people with disability. Our inclusion strategy is centered around creating a culture where everyone is included, belongs and can thrive,” said Griffin.
“We embrace differences and promote the development of inclusive leadership skills, ensuring that people with disability have equal opportunities to succeed. By cultivating a diverse range of abilities, we aim to deliver unique insights and address complex challenges facing business and society, actively supporting the disability community in our workforce.”
Creating processes and sustainable practices across workplaces makes a tangible impact on the potential of people. Activity in this area will be only be amplified for Sam and others in the future as progression the intersectional relationship between elite sport and employment advances.
“Over the years, I’ve observed a positive shift towards better preparing athletes for life after sport,” said White.
“This change has been largely driven by the AIS and State & Territory institutes, often in collaboration with employers who are now actively engaging with these organisations to support athletes while recognising their unique sporting commitments,” said White.
“I’ve seen a significant increase in the number and quality of opportunities available, thanks in large part to the outstanding work of the Athlete Wellbeing & Engagement team. I’ve personally relied on their support in recent years, and their partnerships with employers have been an incredible initiative,”
It’s been inspiring to see so many employers get involved so willingly. I strongly believe all athletes should be taking advantage of these opportunities as early as possible in their careers,” added White.
Sammy White is a 1.0 currently playing for the 1st placed Darwin Salties in the Wheelchair Basketball Association (WBA). Follow Sam’s season via the WBA website & social media.
For more information on PwC Australia and their work in the Access & Inclusion Plan, click here.
To learn more about Basketball Australia’s Performance Wellbeing offerings and team, click here.
