By Associate Professor Lisa Gowthorp – Chair, Bond Sport Network
Sport has a unique ability to unite people. It transcends barriers of culture, language, and background, forging connections that extend far beyond the playing field. Whether through the roar of a grand final crowd, the camaraderie of local club teams, or the quiet determination of an athlete striving for personal bests, sport fosters a deep sense of belonging and shared purpose. Beyond its social impact, the benefits of sport to health and wellbeing are well documented—improving physical fitness, enhancing mental resilience, and strengthening communities through active engagement.
It is only natural, then, that a university like Bond—already renowned for academic excellence and student experience—should harness this power to create something even greater.
Enter the Bond Sport Network (BSN), an initiative designed to elevate Bond’s sporting success through collaboration and partnerships.
A University Built for Sport
Bond University has long been a leader in sport—not just in the talent and achievements of its athletes but through its sport-related degrees, internships, scholarships, and cutting-edge research. Our graduates are shaping the industry, holding key roles in sport management, journalism, exercise science, and high-performance coaching. Bond athletes, meanwhile, continue to excel on the world stage, bringing pride to the Bond community.
But we know we can do more.
The Bond Sport Network is our response to this challenge. By bringing together expertise from all faculties and departments, the BSN will enhance Bond’s contributions to sport across teaching, research, student experience, and external engagement. It is a central hub for collaboration, ensuring our collective expertise is channelled effectively to drive innovation, improve athlete support, and create meaningful industry partnerships.
Key Objectives of the Bond Sport Network
The BSN will:
- Foster collaboration between faculties, professional staff, athletes, and students.
- Advance sport research through interdisciplinary projects tackling real-world challenges.
- Enhance teaching and student experiences by strengthening industry partnerships and expanding work-integrated learning opportunities.
- Provide support for Bond’s high-performance teams and athletes, both on campus and in competition.
- Strengthen relationships with industry and community stakeholders, ensuring Bond remains a key player in the sports sector.
A major focus will be positioning Bond strategically in the lead-up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games. From research and athlete support to infrastructure planning and commercial opportunities, the BSN will ensure Bond plays an integral role in the Games and beyond.
A Collaborative Future
The BSN is overseen by a committee that brings together expertise from faculties, marketing, communications, sport management, student wellbeing, external engagement, and Indigenous affairs. Working groups will be established across key areas such as research and innovation, athlete support, university sport, and international sports diplomacy.
Bond University’s commitment to sport has never been stronger, and with the Bond Sport Network, we are poised to make an even greater impact. By harnessing our collective knowledge and passion, we can shape the future of sport at Bond, in our community, and on the global stage.
If you would like to learn more or get involved, please reach out at BondSportNetwork@bond.edu.au.