27 June 2023; Co-authored by Mannhar Kaur and Matt Roseby
The Strong Women Network mentorship program has not only won awards but has had a profound effect on the lives of both mentors and mentees.
Now entering its fifth year, Hannah Kuhar, professional netballer and Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and Diploma of Music alum, returns to reflect on her unique experience of coming full circle, having been both a mentee and mentor.
Hannah first joined the Network in its inaugural year in 2019 as a mentee looking to gain insight and sagacity into a world after study and university sport. This is a common transition for many university students but one that comes with great uncertainty and stress.
The Strong Women Network was established to bridge the gap between the two stages and alleviate some of this anxiety by placing peer-to-peer connections at the core of its design so students could learn from shared experiences and gain valuable and applicable insights.
When relocating to Perth for her grad role with Bankwest, Hannah said having her mentor, Amanda Crouse, by her side made the move easier as she shared with her “little tips and tricks” about starting in the professional corporate environment. "She had already been in my shoes," Hannah said.
Three years later, in 2022, Kuhar decided to give back to the Network by joining as a mentor herself. Kuhar remarked on an onus she felt to pass on she had adopted to flourish to the next cohort of mentees. She was matched with Victoria Shi, a Bachelor of Science student and avid gymnast. Shi, a neuroscience major, is also the co-founder of TENSible, a drug-free solution for chronic back pain.
"Hannah was a fantastic mentor. It was refreshing to hear from a talented individual who balanced both sport and a professional career and how she translated her skills from the court into her life. She gave me the confidence to transition into the workforce and chase my lifestyle and goals," expressed Victoria.
Kuhar has been balancing a producer role for Fox Sports while working as a Major Incident Manager for Bankwest. Through all this, Hannah has kept netball a priority in her life, currently competing in the Victorian Netball League for the Casey Demons.
While her input as a mentor has proved invaluable for her mentees, Hannah has also seen much benefit herself, often applying the skills and experience she has gained from her time in the Strong Women Network to her professional work.
“I’ve put my mentoring skills to work by leading digital teams at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, becoming a Director of a local sporting organisation and working as a Major Incident Manager in the financial services sector. I often field calls from young people of all backgrounds who could use an empathetic and pragmatic ear — something which I practiced within the Strong Women Network environment”.
Expressions of interest for both mentors and mentees are open for the 2024 Strong Women Network. Student-athletes in their second or third year of undergraduate study, or those in a postgraduate course, are invited to apply as mentees. Graduates with three or more years of professional experience and a background in sport are welcome to apply as mentors.
More details on the application process can be found here.