Standfirst: A collaboration between Australian Catholic University and the Queensland Rugby League will be a boon for students, researchers, referees, players and coaches.
- ACU is a leader in sports science research and teaching
- The collaboration aims to provide academic expertise to QRL programs, co-designed educational offerings and joint academic-industry research projects
- Queensland's elite men's and women's referees, and state development officials, have established a high-performance base at the Brisbane campus
More than 100 Australian Catholic University students and the state's brightest rising referees have capitalised on a landmark collaboration with the Queensland Rugby League.
Co-operation between the organisations has paved the way for a series of projects that will provide opportunities for students, researchers, players and Queensland's elite and emerging men's and women's referees.
ACU Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Zlatko Skrbis and QRL general manager (performance and pathways) Glenn Ottaway visited the Brisbane campus ahead of the women's State of Origin II.
The Maroons used the campus for a set of training camps ahead of the series, while the Queensland women's under-19 squad also has made a base at Banyo.
Even more activity has centred around the state's referees, including NRL whistleblower Jarrod Cole, who have established a permanent training hub at ACU where they have access to strength and conditioning guidance from the university's staff and Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science students.
Queensland Rugby League's mission is to ensure the code is strong, safe and accessible. A key pillar is to create social impact and enrich people's lives through rugby league.
"The natural alignment of values and purpose between ACU and the QRL expands our capacity to make real-world impact for communities," Professor Skrbis said.
Almost 50 third-year Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science students have already benefited from placement and accreditation-linked experiences involving the QRL.
Work has commenced on a project to better understand what drives referees' performance and retention at the junior level.
Within QRL's 2000 strong cohort of referees, more than 100 match officials in QRL's development and performance programs have established a high-performance home at ACU.
Referees will have access to the university's Elite Athlete and Performer Program and opportunities in a host of other higher education pathways.
The relationship between ACU and the QRL was a symbol of rugby league's deep commitment to its refereeing pathway, Mr Ottaway said.
"Having a world class program here in Brisbane means up-and-coming officials can tap into a pathway beginning at the grassroots and pursue it all the way to the NRL," he said.
Having a connection to the QRL will provide limitless development opportunities for students, including Bachelor of High Performance Sport (Honours) student Russell Dutton.
His honours project is exploring how women's physical performance translates to on-field tackle effectiveness.
"I always wanted to be an athlete but this is the next best thing," Russell said. "It's kind of a dream come true."
