Rising Australian soccer star and Brisbane Roar FC captain Matt McKay is juggling more than a demanding football career in his other life as a Queensland University of Technology (QUT) student.
While most of his teammates are enjoying a four-week break from the busy schedule of professional A-League football, Mr McKay returned to QUT's Kelvin Grove campus this week to catch up on his studies.
The 28-year-old aspiring physical education and geography teacher is in his third year of a Bachelor of Education at QUT.
Mr McKay is attending his first lecture at Kelvin Grove today, after enrolling in three subjects this semester.
"I'm fairly busy with football but I get into class as often as possible and learn as much as I can," Mr McKay said.
"At the moment, it's my holidays. I only get a four-week break and I have spent most of it studying.
"But to me it's worth it. I think teaching is a rewarding profession. There is so much I can give to students. People think it's a fairly easy profession, but it's not."
Mr McKay led the Brisbane Roar to a victory in the A League Grand Final, preceded by a successful 2011 AFC Asian Cup and last month's historic 2-1 Socceroos win over Germany.
But despite his recent high-profile success, Mr McKay is determined to finish his degree.
"I've re-signed with Brisbane for three years. I had a good Asian Cup. It has been a great journey in the last year. We'll wait and see what other opportunities come up.
"It will probably be another two to three years of university before I finish my degree, but I think it is important I do that."
Mr McKay's international travels as a soccer player helped raise his interest in teaching geography - not that he boasts about his star status to QUT classmates or teachers.
QUT geography lecturer David Lergessner said he was unaware he had Mr McKay in his classes until seeing a photo of the soccer player in a major daily newspaper.
"There he was on the back page of The Courier-Mail one day. He never said anything about it at all," Mr Lergessner said.
"Matt has been a great student. When he becomes a teacher, it will raise the profile of geography and physical education in schools."
As one of 300 students enrolled in QUT's Elite Athlete Program, Mr McKay is eligible to receive specialised support to help balance studies with his sporting career.
"I haven't missed any exams, so I've been lucky. I like to get my assessments in on time and the university has been understanding if I need any extensions," he said.
Media contact: Ian Eckersley, QUT media manager, 07 3138 2361, 0432 754 897 or ian.eckersley@qut.edu.au
Stephanie Harrington, QUT media officer, 07 3138 1150, stephanie.harrington@qut.edu.au
