The St.George Reds have announced Bond University as an official sponsor in a deal that will link the team’s performance rugby unit with the University’s Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine.
Reds CEO Jim Carmichael said the partnership is yet another example of another major leader in its field committing to the Reds and the Code.
“We believe 2011 will be one of the most important years in the Code’s history and our partnerships are recognising that. To have Bond University supporting our team provides learning pathways to better understanding athletic performance and this is vital information that ultimately we benefit from across the entire rugby community, not just at the elite level.”
Bond University’s Faculty of Health Science and Medicine Acting Dean, Professor Lars McNaughton said that it was an easy decision for the Faculty to come on board with Queensland Rugby and the St.George Reds.
“Rugby is a great fit for the Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine and Bond University. Our association with Queensland Rugby and the Reds is an exciting one that will see our students and staff connect not only with elite athletes, but also importantly with the community at the grassroots level,” said Professor McNaughton.
“This partnership will provide our physiotherapy, exercise science and health science students with a unique and invaluable opportunity to gain first-class industry experience on the sideline and in training, as well as apply their theory in a real-game setting.
“It will also provide long-term educational connections for the Faculty and the rugby community as we look to engage the Qld Reds people in our programs, the classroom and our research projects,” he said.
Reds Performance Coach Damian Marsh said the partnership would see a two-way flow in information.
“I have been asked to play a role in the Faculty’s Sports Science and Sports Management areas. In return we will benefit from the vast knowledge base that they have impacting on sport.”