Australia-First Sports College for the Gold Coast

A push for the establishment of the first Australian sports college for year eleven and twelve students has been announced on the Gold Coast by its chairman, former Queensland Premier and State Member for Surfers Paradise Rob Borbidge.

If approved, the proposed Australian Sports College, based at the Runaway Bay Sports Super Centre, will be the first in the country to be accredited as a non-state, private sports-focused senior high school.

Set to open in 2010, itâs dedicated to producing professional players in football, rugby league, rugby union, AFL, tennis, swimming, basketball, cricket and volleyball.

"The Australian Sports College aims to provide students with a tailored and targeted pathway to their sporting career of choice whilst giving them the opportunity to obtain their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)", Borbidge explained, adding "the programs are specifically designed to offer a pathway for young athletes wishing to pursue a career in the sporting industry.

"Opportunities will be offered in the areas of sports coaching, sports trainer, strength and conditioning, fitness, sports and recreation, sports officiating, sports marketing, sports management and events."

ASC Chief Executive Officer, Ahmed Sokarno, said the collegeâs Sports Focus Programs will be developed with educational initiatives that will help foster the growth of sport on the Gold Coast and beyond.

Sokarno concluded.added "the programs will provide participants the chance to develop skills in fitness, sport and recreation that will enhance their opportunities for employment.

"The primary goal is to provide them with the necessary skills for future employment as a player, coach, official, administrator, manager or trainer.

"We'll also provide learning and development opportunities in other areas including refereeing, physiotherapy, sport development, sport marketing, sport management and fitness.

"It will be a learning environment where students are treated with the maturity and respect of a secondary learning institution in small classes to ensure focus on their individual needs.

"Our teachers and coaches are both highly qualified and very experienced in their fields and able to provide students with insight into the working world and, in particular, the student's career of choice."

For more information go to www.australianacademy.edu.au/

4th August 2009 - TOP LEVEL SPORT ACADEMY ESTABLISHED ON THE GOLD COAST