THE ORD MINNETT AUSSIE SHARK PURSUING CASINO SHARKS: ANGUS LAMBIE

As an Olympian, Lambie’s journey is proof that a career outside of the pool doesn’t have to come at the sacrifice of one in it.

While working towards realising his Olympic dreams in Paris last year, Lambie was also working at a casino, implementing the skills he learnt in his Bachelor of Criminology at UNSW.

“The life of an athlete is one characterised by uncertainty - a lot of competing athletes don’t make enough money to support their lifestyles, a lot of athletes at some point or another will experience injury or illness, and every athlete will eventually retire,” Lambie said.

“In order to support your dreams, whilst simultaneously preparing for life after sport, you must pursue a meaningful career - one that presents a unique set of challenges, perpetuates your education and development, exposes you to a new group of people and sharpens the tools that you will use the rest of your life. 

“It’s not easy juggling both commitments, but it is worth it in the long run,” he said.

“My Dad has always been my hero”

Inspired by his dad who was a police officer and detective, Lambie developed an interest in criminology - a path which he pursued at university.

“My dad has always been my hero and I’ve always wanted to be like him, so as I started developing my own interests I loved that criminology was the nexus of so many different academic areas - psychology, social research and policy, sociology and law to name a few,” Lambie said.

“I never felt like criminology was boring, it was always exciting and the area of study was so broad that it allowed me to learn so many new and interesting things whilst simultaneously narrowing my focus when something specific grabbed my attention,” he said.

When an opportunity came up to apply his knowledge and skills in the ‘real world’, Lambie was quick to jump.

“I work in an investigative capacity at a casino. Without being too specific my role is to ensure that the casino remains free from criminal influence,” Lambie said.

“I first started with the casino in the surveillance team. I heard about the job through a friend and thought that it would be interesting…I was right. 

“Whilst working it became clear to me that the most enjoyment I got out of the job was “investigating” - seeing something that doesn’t make sense or seems off and “chasing it down the rabbit hole”.

“I followed this passion and found myself in the investigations team in a temporary role. I worked hard and passionately and before I knew it I was offered a role full time. I’ve been with the company five years now and I’ve continued to grow in the role and offer more through the skills I’ve developed,” he said.

The Balancing Act: Sport, Life...and Work!

When it comes to balance, Lambie admits that it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. 

“It’s not easy, but nothing worth doing ever is,” Lambie said.

“There’s a lot of early mornings and long days - you’ve got to make some personal sacrifices to fit everything in. 

“But at the same time a lot of people will recognise and respect what you’re doing and want to be a part of your journey. 

“The hardest part for me was asking for help. Once I did though, it became easier to balance my commitments. In some ways work and training became symbiotic. 

“The skills I developed in each commitment became ingrained in my character and I was able to apply those skills more broadly in my life. 

“Elite team sport teaches you collaboration, goal setting, patience, hard work, determination and resilience to name a few - any work place would be lucky to have someone with these qualities,” he said.

Advice for the next generation

As someone who grew up with strong-willed role models, Lambie has some ‘words of wisdom’ to share with the next generation.

“Take the opportunity to do as much as possible whilst simultaneously maintaining your health. As I said, anything worth achieving won’t come without hard work and perseverance,” Lambie said.

“Take the opportunity when you’re young to learn what you’re capable of, what your limits are. You will find more time in the day, if you make more time. 

“Don’t allow yourself to be distracted by things that won’t last. I’ve seen the rise and fall of several social media platforms and the trends that came along with them. 

“Get off your phone, get out of the house. Challenge yourself to see what you’re capable of. 

“For me having a career helped me become more reliable and confident. I only became the water polo player I am now through the things I learned working,” he said.

To sum it all up...

“Find something you’re passionate about and allow that passion to fuel your commitment,” Lambie said.

“Also get eight hours of sleep a night, don’t eat too much sugar, drink lots of water, tell your parents you love them, journal, exercise regularly and spend quality time with your friends,” he said.

Lambie together with the rest of the Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks is preparing for the 2025 World Aquatics Championships, which will be held in Singapore in less than 60 days time.