Planning for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games is in full swing, and the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) is backing young athletes as they strive to reach their full sporting potential.
As a member of the Queensland Universities Games Engagement Committee, UniSQ's new Student-Athlete Empowerment Project will shape the next generation of elite athletes while inspiring student-athletes who dream of competing in the Olympics.
As part of the high-performance sport initiative, UniSQ will partner with schools to deliver a range of '2 Win 2032' education and research programs that support all aspects of a student-athlete's journey – from nutrition and mental wellbeing to injury prevention, recovery and academic success.
Director of High-Performance Sport (School of Health and Medical Sciences) Professor Stephen Bird said UniSQ was proud to be at the forefront of supporting student-athletes as they navigate their journey toward the 2032 Games.
"This initiative is a key component of our broader high-performance sport strategy, which aims to equip student-athletes with the knowledge, skills and support needed to thrive in their sporting and academic pursuits," Professor Bird said.
"It's an honour to support and empower student-athletes across south-east Queensland while providing a lasting legacy for the 2032 Games."
Three schools and two sports clubs are already involved in the '2 Win 2032' programs - Bremer State High School, Ipswich Girls' Grammar School, Toowoomba Grammar School, the Ipswich Jets and Western Clydesdales. Meanwhile, Toowoomba's Fairholme College and Harristown State High School are expected to come on board in the next few months.
The programs provide practical, evidence-based education that athletes can immediately apply to their training, recovery, mindset and overall lifestyle.
Professor Bird said UniSQ's broad expertise across high-performance sports, combined with its dedication to student-athlete health, education and performance, gave the University a unique advantage in helping young aspiring athletes gain a competitive edge.
"Our team of world-class staff brings experience from the highest levels of sport, having worked at events like the Olympic and Commonwealth Games, World Championships, World Cups, Asian Games, Asia Cups and EuroBasket tournaments," he said.
"This elite-level knowledge and applied insight enable us to provide practical, evidence-based education and support specifically tailored to student-athletes' unique needs."
Professor Bird said student-athletes also had the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from groundbreaking research.
"High school student-athlete health and performance is a research field that's been largely overlooked, especially within the Australian context," he said.
"Thanks to real-world data from student-athletes across south-east Queensland, our research is not only breaking new ground but also building a foundation for evidence-based practices that can truly enhance the health, safety, and performance of young athletes for years to come."
Learn more about UniSQ's Student Athlete Empowerment Project and the '2 Win 2032' programs.
Schools and sports clubs interested in being involved can contact Professor Stephen Bird at [email protected].
