Flinders University and South Adelaide Football Club will continue kicking goals together in higher education and innovative approaches to community engagement after Flinders renewed its sponsorship of the Panthers for 2016.
The partnership means Flinders University , which has been a “Joint Major Partner” of South Adelaide for several seasons, will once again reap the rewards of Flinders students’ physiotherapy, nutrition, dietetics, business, education and tourism skills.
That support has been a key factor in the success of the club’s Be Your Best program, which aims to educate and inspire young people, encouraging them to engage with positive role models in football and education; while Bachelor of Sport, Health and Physical Activity students have helped out at community events like South Adelaide’s Big Backyard Friday evening series.
Flinders, which enjoys a well-justified reputation for its excellence in teaching and research, has led the way in providing access to higher education for people who did not traditionally aspire to University.
Panthers player Nick Liddle, one of the stars of the current side, who is studying a Bachelor of Education (Middle/Secondary)/Health Sciences at Flinders, said the renewed deal would continue to reap rewards for both parties.
“It’s been great studying at Flinders knowing that we have this great partnership that works together to help the community,” said Mr Liddle.
South Adelaide Football Club, which is highly regarded for its innovative approach to getting the best out of its players and engaging with its local community, has enabled Flinders students and the club’s own staff and players to gain significant benefits from the partnership.
Opportunities for Flinders students include “real world” work experience opportunities, while South Adelaide’s young Panthers have gained first-hand experience of AFL Draft Camp conditions at a special training camp held each year by Flinders University’s Sport, Health and Physical Education (SHAPE) Centre.
The comprehensive two-day training program includes access to elite fitness testing, skill analysis technology, coaching and education, introducing young footballers to an elite football lifestyle, while also encouraging them to think about life beyond football.
Additional education sessions include workshops on nutrition for athletes and parents, hydration, sport psychology and social and cultural aspects of elite sport.