Laura Ernst is a PhD candidate, registered physiotherapist and secondary school teacher, as well as accredited Level 2 AFL Coach. She has over 15 years of professional experience in motor skill development, higher education, teaching, and coaching. As well as her professional knowledge and skills, she has over 16 years of playing experience within women’s Australian Football at both Victorian and Queensland state league levels, as well as AFLW level. In 2020, Laura undertook the Doctor of Physiotherapy program at Bond University, completing her course as the recipient of the Riewoldt Family AFL Excellence Scholarship, and graduated with High Distinction in 2022. Previously attaining a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science at Deakin University, and a Post Graduate Degree in Education at RMIT, Laura has a range of professional experiences that underpin her passion for research and contribution to evidence-based practice for women’s sport and females working in physically demanding occupations. Her PhD program of research is titled ‘Getting aHead of the game: Concussion in elite youth female Australian football players’.