GordonG
Years ago
CQUniversity & Taipans Join Forces for New Degree
Taipans and CQU join forces for new degree
THE CQUniversity Cairns Taipans are set to feature in one of the most innovative education initiatives in the country, and benefit from a purpose-built sports science laboratory thanks to a new course delivered by CQUniversity.
For the first time in North Queensland - and one of the first of its kind in the county - Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Sciences students will be embedded within a national, professional sporting team and have access to the full resources and expertise of the Taipans.
The new course was officially announced today by CQUniversity Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott, and will be offered out of a purpose-built sports science building on Aumuller Street.
The building is being funded by the Commonwealth Government with costs associated with fit-out, equipment and staffing to be absorbed by CQUniversity.
The course structure will see students and researchers working alongside Taipans players, coaching and professional staff to ensure graduates are industry-ready with real life experience in working with a professional sports organisation.
CQUniversity Cairns Taipans CEO Mark Beecroft said the new partnership would see long-term benefits across all levels.
"We are thrilled to be partnering with CQUniversity on this new degree, and see our partnership grow and develop into something so cutting-edge in sports and education in Australia," Mr Beecroft said.
“The Taipans always aim to be ahead of the curve, and this is allowing us to lead the way with this unique initiative.
“We expect that this will add a new level of expertise to the player welfare and high performance training of our Taipans athletes, which will also have a flow-on benefit to our grassroots basketball programs.”
Professor Bowman said he was thrilled to announce the new course that will be available in Cairns from Term 1, 2018.
“This is an exciting opportunity for CQUniversity researchers and students to access world-class research and clinical facilities alongside Taipans players and staff,” Professor Bowman said.
The partnership also enables the Taipans to have full access to leading university sports science experts, researchers and laboratory facilities whose purpose is to drive high performance outcomes.
Bowman said that while the course would be delivered in close collaboration with the Taipans, the skills acquired will be transferable to all professional sporting codes and not limited to basketball.
The Dean of the School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Professor Fiona Coulson said the Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Sciences is a three-year degree focusing on the core areas of biomechanics, exercise physiology and athlete skill acquisition with new minors in sports management, biomedical sciences and secondary teaching.
The course currently has accreditation with Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA).
“Students perform at least 180 hours of work-integrated learning with a large focus on exercise prescription and delivery in team environments and exercise facilities,” Prof Coulson said.
“The opportunity for our students to be placed in a professional sports environment such as the Cairns Taipans would see them emerge as leaders in Exercise and Sports Science within Australia.”
