Bulletin

Issue: July/August 2007

News

La Trobe joins TEAMelbourne

La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor,
Professor Paul Johnson, centre, at the
TEAMelbourne launch with
TEAMelbourne CEO, Barry Gibson, left,
flanked, from right, by the captains of
three of the participating teams - David
Neitz from the AFL’s Melbourne Demons,
Chris Anstey from the NBL’s Melbourne
Tigers and Sherelle McMahon from
Netball Victoria’s Melbourne Phoenix.

With a membership base of more than 70,000, TEAMelbourne is a partnership between football, rugby league, basketball, netball and horse racing clubs. It aims to promote Melbourne as well as increase business opportunities and improve the sustainability of member clubs.

It also offers opportunities for the professional and educational development of athletes and supports team training and organisational growth through La Trobe University, its education partner.

La Trobe University Vice- Chancellor, Professor Paul Johnson, said the University will provide scholarships, courses and professional development opportunities for team members and carry out research in areas of common interest.

‘La Trobe has a strong tradition of sport-related programs, ranging from sports physiotherapy and human biosciences to sport and leisure management, sport business and marketing – all of which over the years have helped our students gain a competitive edge.

‘Our graduates today hold positions with sporting bodies including Cricket Australia, Football Victoria and Melbourne stadiums, such as Telstra Dome.

‘Joining with TEAMelbourne continues a tradition that has seen the University work with other major sporting events, including last year’s Commonwealth Games and the Youth Commonwealth Games, which were held on our Bendigo campus in 2004.’

Professor Johnson said that as a member of the Australian Elite Athlete Friendly University Network, La Trobe assists all high-level sports competitors who study at the University to achieve their best – on the track and field as well as in their scholastic endeavours.

Acting Head of the University’s School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management, Professor Aaron Smith, said that as the exclusive tertiary education Foundation Member of TEAMelbourne, La Trobe University would contribute in cash and kind over three years.

As well as focused research in areas such as marketing, training (physiotherapy, schedules, injury, fitness), business, engineering /science to improve the performance of athletes and clubs, La Trobe will also support athletes in lifelong learning.

The University will offer two full-fee first-year undergraduate scholarships to members of TEAMelbourne clubs.

TEAMelbourne and member clubs will provide work placement opportunities for students in health sciences and business studies.

Professor Smith said the University will also promote the alliance through its own student fixtures, publications, international alumni network and regional campuses, as well as through negotiating the use of sports-related facililties.

TEAMelbourne comprises:

• The Melbourne Football Club
• AFL, Melbourne Tigers NBL
• Melbourne Phoenix ANL
• Melbourne Storm NRL
• Melbourne Racing Club