Dolphins NRL, UniSC partnership is a winner

A winning combination of education and sport will continue for the Dolphins NRL and the University of the Sunshine Coast for another two years.

UniSC and National Rugby League’s newest team are now looking to the future, after re-signing an exclusive education sponsorship partnership.

UniSC Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Helen Bartlett says: “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”.

“Our students are gaining hands-on skills and careers opportunities, the Dolphins are benefiting from our research and expertise, and important community and industry connections are being made,” Professor Bartlett says.

“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.”

The partnership provides opportunities for Dolphins players to build both 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 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 says.

Dolphins NRL CEO Terry Reader says the Dolphins and UniSC had a 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 says.

"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.”