The University of the Sunshine Coast and NRL club the Dolphins have extended their affiliation, to provide more opportunities for students and players.
They have signed an exclusive education sponsorship partnership for another two years.
UniSC vice-chancellor and president Professor Helen Bartlett said the connection was of significant benefit to both parties.
“On and off the field, this valuable partnership has created impressive outcomes over the past two years, and we plan to keep this momentum going,” she said.
“Our students are gaining hand-on skills and careers opportunities, the Dolphins are benefitting from our research and expertise, and important community and industry connections are being made.
“We have co-appointed staff, including UniSC lecturer and clinical educator Zara Nance, who splits her time between being a sports dietitian for the Dolphins squad with teaching the next generation of sports nutrition leaders at our Moreton Bay campus.
“A jointly funded research collaboration is allowing one of our PhD students to investigate ways to minimise and manage risk factors of concussion in the NRL.
“UniSC students are not only benefiting from incredible workplace learning with the Dolphins – in just two years, eight have converted their placements into exciting jobs across all aspects of this elite rugby league franchise.
“This works both ways, with our students injecting energy and new ideas into the club, including Emily Hill, who recently landed her dream career with the Dolphins well before finishing her Bachelor of Business (Event Management, Tourism and Leisure) degree.”
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The partnership provides opportunities for Dolphins players, such as rising star Isaiya Katoa, to build study and sporting careers.
Other initiatives include workshops for senior Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and Pasifika school students to raise awareness about career and educational options.
UniSC and the Dolphins – who had their first season in 2023 – have also partnered to present professional development for health and physical education teachers and coaches in the Moreton Bay region.
“We both share a base from the Brisbane northern corridor, Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast and we are proud to work together to benefit our communities,” Professor Bartlett said.
Dolphins CEO Terry Reader said the Dolphins and UniSC had an allied vision that was certain to grow and prosper into the future.
“We are both brands that are located in the Moreton Bay Region that have seen recent exponential growth on the national stage,” he said.
“Partnerships that can establish important community and educational programs are part of our charter, especially with the prospect of the development of a major Performance Centre that will have great community benefit already in planning.
“We have already had scores of interns from the University of Sunshine Coast expand their learning at the Dolphins – some of whom now have full-time roles in both our commercial and football departments.”
