Alumnus Profile: Q & A with Mr Norbert Keshish Banoocy

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Alumnus Profile: Q & A with Mr Norbert Keshish Banoocy

Wednesday, 09 December 2020

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Born and raised in Iran of Armenian descent, Norbert Keshish Banoocy moved to the United States in 2007 (aged 14).

In 2018 Norbert won the Major League Soccer (MLS) Championship with Atlanta United as their Strength and Conditioning Coach.

"ECU was one of the top programs in the country and has world-class faculty as part of the program. I thought this would separate me from the rest of the people in the field when I went through the program," says Norbert.

Full interview from Alumni News...

Where are you from?

I was born and raised in Iran (Armenian descendants) and moved to United States after living in Austria for 6 months in 2007. I have lived most of my life in US after that.

What made you choose ECU and your particular course/study area?

Australia is considered one of the top countries in the world when it comes to sport science. Being from overseas and wanting to obtain the best education in the field of sport science/strength and conditioning, Australia was a natural choice. ECU was one of the top programs in the country and had some world class faculty as part of the program. I thought this would separate me from the rest of the people in the field if went through the program.

What is your fondest memory of ECU?

I had to come to Perth for a 2-week practicum, which I ended up extending to a month of experiencing life in Australia. Visiting the campus and being able to learn firsthand from the faculty and the world-class practitioners that came to present and talk to us was an experience that I will never forget.

Career wise, what have you done since leaving ECU?

Since leaving ECU, I took on a role with Atlanta United FC to work as a Strength and Conditioning Coach/Sport Scientist with the club. I initially started off working with the entire club’s structure (senior teams all the way down to academy level) during the first 6 months, at the end of which we managed to win the 2018 MLS Championship, which was a very rewarding experience. From there, I became the academy fitness coach, where I oversaw the development of all the youth level teams within the development pathway of the club structure. My role recently ended, and I am looking for my next challenge.

What's the one thing about you few people know?

Where I am from, and what my ethnicity is!

What is your biggest achievement to date – personal or professional?

Moving to a new country as a teenager and having to learn English and going on to get an undergraduate from an institution in the USA and a postgraduate degree from a top school in the world (ECU’s School of Science).

Who would you most like to meet and why?

Sir Alex Ferguson to pick his brain on his time as Manager of Manchester United! Secondly, Marcelo Bielsa (Manager of Leeds United) to learn about his training methodology and how he approaches football.

If you could go back to when you graduated from university, what advice would you give yourself?

Take a year off and travel the world!

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