University of New England (UNE) students and researchers engaged in exercise and sports science and clinical exercise physiology are being offered new opportunities to advance their knowledge through an expanded collaboration between the university and New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL).
The agreement has seen UNE’s Dr. Brad Morris relocate to the NSW Rugby League Centre of Excellence (CoE), which will also serve as an additional teaching venue for UNE students.
Dr. Morris will be conducting research into physical performance for NSWRL and is seeking a postdoctoral researcher and a PhD student to join him at the Centre, focusing on improving athletic performance and reducing the potential risk of injuries.
“This collaboration allows UNE to provide its students with excellent learning opportunities in both the Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science and the Bachelor of Clinical Physiology programs using the CoE’sworld-class facilities,” Dr. Morris said.
“For example, the Strength Training and Conditioning unit’s intensive will be delivered at the Centre, allowing students to learn in a high-performance environment typically reserved for elite athletes.”
The UNE-NSWRL partnership has already provided students with unique and formative experiences, such as attending an NSW Blues training session earlier this year and going behind the scenes to see the action. Selected students will also undertake workplace training at the Centre as part of their practicum, bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world application.
This initiative strengthens UNE’s commitment to practical research from grassroots to elite-level sports engagement. From his new base at the CoE in Sydney, Dr. Brad Morris will bring his extensive experience in high-performance roles across multiple sports, including positions with the Panthers, Roosters, and Warriors in the National Rugby League (NRL).
The new postdoctoral researcher and PhD student will work closely with Dr. Morris, focusing on applied research in athletic performance based at the CoE.
The UNE exercise and sports science faculty is further bolstered by Dan Ferris, a former high-performance manager with the Gold Coast Titans, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, and Manly Sea Eagles in the NRL.
Ferris, now part of the UNE faculty in Armidale, brings a wealth of industry experience and applied knowledge that will significantly contribute to the success of the UNE-NSWRL partnership. With this strong team in place, UNE is well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to NSWRL’s research and performance initiatives.
Associate Professor Robert Crowther, who leads UNE’s exercise and sports science team, says that the UNE-NSWRL collaboration is part of a long-term push to position UNE as a leader in exercise and sports science education and research.
“The University already has a proven track record of producing graduates ready to lead and advance in the fields of exercise and sports science,” he said.
“The alliance with NSWRL strengthens our capability in real-world research and education, providing our students with a privileged window into the world of elite sports.”
“Whether you are an emerging researcher or a student just starting out, this alliance offers exciting opportunities to advance while gaining insight into how to contribute to the rapidly growing disciplines of exercise and sports science.”
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