The people of Lake Macquarie and current and future students are at the centre of a new partnership between the University of Newcastle and the Hunter Sports Centre at Glendale.
Announced today, the partnership will see the University's Discipline of Exercise and Sports Science utilise the new world-class facilities at Hunter Sports Centre as a second teaching site, commencing in semester one 2025.
Students will benefit from a learning environment that will use the full $52 million Hunter Sports Centre expansion and include access to large classrooms, gym, athlete testing centre, sporting field, clinic and consultation rooms for three days per week during semester time.
Alongside teaching, the University will launch a student-led Exercise Physiology Clinic that will operate out of Hunter Sports Centre, offering the community low-cost access to advice and consultation by supervised Exercise Physiology students.
University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky, AO said the partnership was a perfect example of the University's commitment to helping the community live better, healthier lives.
"Being able to teach our students in a facility that is embedded in the community, as well as launching our student-led exercise physiology clinic is a fantastic example of how our university is not just about learning in the classroom but getting out there and making a difference in the community," Professor Zelinsky said.
"Not only will this give our students the chance to undertake their learning in a real-life setting before they join the workforce, it will allow us to offer our students the opportunity to learn in state-of-the-art facilities."
"This partnership is a win for both the community and our students, and we are grateful for the leadership and vision of Lake Macquarie City Council to see the potential for such an integrated and practical partnership."
Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said the expanded Hunter Sports Centre would be a regionally significant facility benefiting thousands of people, from tertiary students to elite and up-and-coming athletes.
"Today's announcement demonstrates the partnerships and relationships we continue to forge in our city to achieve the best outcomes for everyone," she said.
The offering for students at Hunter Sports Centre will occur alongside teaching undertaken in the new and upgraded sports science infrastructure at the Health and Physical Education (HPE) building, next to the Forum, at the University's Callaghan Campus.
"We know there is continued demand for our exercise and sport science programs and creating more contemporary facilities will help maintain our national and international competitiveness," Professor Zelinsky said.
The new partnership expands on an existing agreement with Hunter Sports Centre for the University to operate the Trevor Height Athlete Testing Facility, which opened in January this year and offers a range of services to monitor and improve the development and performance of athletes, from beginners to elite levels. The facility also offers practical exercise and sports science sessions to supplement classroom-based learning for local high school students.
Hunter Sports Centre General Manager Brendan Barrett said this next step in the relationship with the University exemplified the role Hunter Sports Centre intended to play in offering the community a premier sports centre.
"The Hunter Sports Centre's redevelopment as a sport and wellbeing campus has incredible synergies with the University of Newcastle's Discipline of Exercise and Sports Science," Mr Barrett said.
"What began as a partnership to deliver athlete performance testing and education from the new Trevor Height Athlete Testing Centre has evolved as further possibilities emerged through the growing relationship between Hunter Sports Centre, the University of Newcastle, and Lake Macquarie City Council.
"Playing host to a vibrant learning hub and Exercise and Sports Science Clinic will benefit both students and the community. It will also complement the new Fitness Centre and Health Food Café opening concurrently in the new building.
"I envisage our relationship continuing to grow to include corresponding allied health offerings such as physiotherapy, podiatry, and nutrition/dietetics to the broader Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Hunter, and Central Coast communities."
