4 minute read
Passion to profession
Australian Olympic 800 metre runner Peter Bol and table tennis player Milly Tapper – the first Australian athlete to compete at both an Olympics and Paralympics – helped launch the new partnership at an event at Federation University’s Mt Helen campus on 6 November 2019. Image credit. Federation University.
Anne Louise Williams looks at the development of the next generation of sports leaders
Many International Baccalaureate (IB) schools are aware of, and indeed participate in, the World Academy of Sport (WAoS) Athlete Friendly Education Centre (AFEC) initiative. Schools are accredited as an AFEC when they demonstrate the requirements of providing exceptional support to their high-performing student athletes. These IB World Schools are then able to offer the Diploma Programme over an extended period for their student-athletes. WAoS has now partnered with Federation University, Australia to offer jointly an IB Careerrelated Programme, International Sports Management (ISM).
Anne Louise Williams from WAoS recently caught up with Dr Sue Brown, Programme Director ISM, Federation University, and Chris Solly, Managing Director WAoS, to understand more about this partnership, why the programme will be of interest to schools, and what it provides for students. Their responses to her questions are as follows.
Chris, firstly, what is the importance of this newly formed relationship between WAoS and Federation University?
CS: Federation University was chosen as the international IB Career-related Programme and undergraduate partner for WAoS based on a combination of factors, but mainly due to its standing with graduate employment success and learner needs. Federation University has a long history of working with industry to develop and deliver programmes that are of the highest academic standard mixed with practical experience through rigorous placements. This will be the first fully online IBCP and Undergraduate in International Sports Management, and WAoS is delighted to have partnered with such a forward-thinking university.
Dr Brown, what types of subjects will students be offered as part of this CP and how will they be delivered?
SB: The university will offer students first year foundation subjects to be studied over the two years of the CP. These subjects may include Introduction to International Sports Management, Sports Event Management and Sports Marketing, as well as Managing Sport Development, or Sports Performance Management. A decision on exactly which subjects will be offered is currently being finalised by WAoS and Federation University. Students who successfully participate in and complete the courses in this CP, upon graduation will have direct entry and can apply credits to the undergraduate Bachelor of International Sports Management at Federation University.
Students will study career-related modules delivered online with ‘ready to teach’ resources and support for teachers from education and industry specialists. Our partnership with WAoS in developing the courses brings together real industry experience, making them engaging, practical and inspiring for students. The completely digital course delivery includes virtual classroom and interactive lessons so students can learn with other students.
The programme will deliver quality online courses with extensive teaching resources to help support students’ learning and have minimal impact on teachers’ time … the CP, International Sports Management modules will provide resources, in-depth notes, tools and teaching plans to help students achieve the best results possible in the programme. Access to resources will be available and updated regularly to ensure the CP is taking on feedback from teachers.
Chris, how advantageous would this CP be for students who are interested in working in the sports industry?’
CS: For those students who are committed to a career in global sport, the CP with a guaranteed pathway through to our Undergraduate in International Sports Management is a unique offer. It allows those interested in the industry to combine their passion with their profession, and is also potentially particularly interesting for schools who already are an accredited Athlete Friendly Education Centre and have strong relationships with local and national sporting organisations. WAoS and Federation University along with our many International [sport] Federation partners will provide not just a curriculum, but real-life experience and opportunities for industry connection and engagement whilst they are studying their course. In our opinion this is critical to set students up for life after their formal education as they move into the global sporting industry.
Dr Brown, Federation University based in Ballarat, Australia is known for its high employability of graduates. How has the University achieved this?
SB: Federation University has a proud history in graduate employment with 80% of sport management graduates gaining employment in the sport management industry within 6 to 12 months of graduating. Our teaching philosophy is underpinned with linking theoretical principles with ‘real world’ practices. We have a strong commitment to providing our students with opportunities to apply what they have learnt through their studies to ‘real world’ scenarios through industry placements. We believe this has put our students ahead of the field when it comes to employment. The sport management industry is diverse and can offer students a fulfilling career with a range of job opportunities in varying specialised fields. The global sport industry is worth US$ 700 billion and growing, and the demand for highly qualified, globally connected sport management professionals is growing. The sport management industry is a unique workplace where people are able to combine their passion for sport with a professional career.
