Bond University’s Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine has appointed respected academic, decorated athlete and coach Peter Reaburn to head its expanding Exercise and Sports Science program.
Professor Reaburn is a sports scientist with a PhD in exercise physiology from the University of Queensland. He brings with him three decades of experience and seven years as Head of Health and Human Performance at Central Queensland University (CQU), Rockhampton.
During his time at CQU, Professor Reaburn was the only academic seconded into the university's auditing project. He also won the Vice Chancellors Award for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, a Vice Chancellors Award for Excellence in Research Higher Degree Supervision and a national teaching Citation award from the Office of Learning and Teaching.
He comes full circle returning to the Gold Coast, where he grew up and developed his passion for exercise and sport science after joining the Southport Swimming Club as a 10-year-old, sparking a lifetime involvement in competitive swimming, surf lifesaving, representative rugby, distance running, triathlon, road cycling and ironman triathlon.
In the pursuit of 'giving back to sport', he became Foundation President of the Miami Masters Swim Club, served as Coaching Director and President of Queensland Masters Swimming and held various roles with Masters Swimming Australia.
He was also Coach Coordinator and Vice President of the largest netball club in Rockhampton for the last decade, coaching junior and A-grade teams to premiership and representative level.
As part of his new role as Program Head, Exercise and Sports Science, Professor Reaburn will play an integral role in building research capacity in sports and exercise science and related areas. His own research broadly encompasses applied exercise science with an emphasis on masters and sports recovery.
Professor Reaburn, who sits on the editorial panel for the European Review of Aging and Physical Activity, said he was focused on ensuring Bond University's sport and exercise science program developed students who were industry-ready.
"I am a big believer in the SOAR framework, which stands for strengths, opportunities, aspirations and results," he said.
"This involves encouraging students to think about what they want to achieve in their career, to keep their eyes open to all opportunities, to aim high and develop the self-awareness needed to get there.
"I am also focused on working with the academic staff and other stakeholders of Bond to ensure the program remains industry-leading and delivers the practical experience students need to hit the ground running upon graduation."
Professor Reaburn said he planned to work collaboratively with Bond's Sport department to maximise undergraduate and postgraduate opportunities.
"I have been in this industry for a long time and have developed contacts at a regional, state, national and international level," he said.
"I'm looking forward to sharing these industry contacts with the students, along with helping staff pursue new research opportunities.
"I really want to give back to the students. As a young man I had a Professor who went above and beyond, and completely changed my life.
"I am now in a position to do exactly the same with the fantastic people studying at Bond and am driven to positively influence those with the passion to succeed in sport and exercise science."
Bond University Health Sciences and Medicine Executive Dean, Professor Helen Chenery, said Professor Reaburn would bring significant expertise to the role.
"The work undertaken in the Bond Institute of Health and Sport is dedicated to making advancements in industry-led research that will provide more definitive answers about health claims regarding fitness, the benefits of physical activity and sport, and will assist the public with common questions relating to health and exercise," she said.
"His long standing involvement in all levels of sport and exercise science will help in understanding how we can harness our knowledge to improve public health.
"I look forward to working closely with Peter to achieve these goals."