Griffith University have joined with Paddle Australia in a four-year partnership to elevate the paddle sports ecosystem in the lead up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond.
The partnership will focus on supporting, inspiring and developing all paddlers, and increasing expertise in areas such as health, wellbeing, performance, legacy, sustainability, environment and ecotourism.
Master of Business Administration student, Olympian Jessica Fox OAM OLY was Australia's most successful paddler at the 2024 Paris Olympics, winning two gold medals which brought her total Olympic medal haul to six in total.
"Paddle Australia and Griffith University teaming up is an exciting partnership for our athletes and the paddlesport community as a whole," Ms Fox said.
"Griffith University has a fantastic high performance athlete program for those studying locally, but also via distance.
"The support has been incredible for me around my studies allowing me to train and compete."
Griffith Sports College Director Naomi McCarthy OAM OLY said the partnership would support all paddle athletes and paddle performance outcomes.
"This is a massive opportunity to create a whole-of-sport legacy in Australia which extends beyond the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games," Ms McCarthy said.
"Griffith will work with Paddle Australia on research areas which will ultimately improve the sport of paddling and include areas such as ecotourism, legacy, sustainability, athlete health and performance research.
"The partnership is a great outcome for Griffith students, and will help to produce the future performance scientists who will work in the sporting industry moving forward."
Paddle Australia CEO Kim Crane said she was excited to work strategically with Griffith to strengthen and expand the existing relationship.
"While we have been working with Griffith University for a long period of time and many of our elite athletes are already supported by the Sports College, this exciting partnership allows us to widen our scope, and explore further opportunities for our sport, our lifestyle and our people," Ms Crane said.
"The partnership will provide opportunities for PhD students to be embedded in our programs and to explore projects beyond sport performance, including athlete and staff wellbeing.
"The work will reach across the whole-of-sport research, education, social and community impact, women's leadership and Olympic and Paralympic Games engagement and legacy."
