The starter’s gun has fired on a new USC campaign to share the Sunshine Coast’s sporting research, facilities and education with the world.

The Sports State Project, backed by the Queensland Government and Sunshine Coast Council, will help position Queensland as the premier destination in Australia for international students interested in studying and working in the sports industry.

Taking in study disciplines from Exercise Science to Tourism, Leisure and Event Management, the project will allow more international students to undertake work placements with some of the Coast’s top sporting event organisations and clubs.

Students will also have more chances to learn in the field – or pool, gym or lab – during their degrees.

USC International Director Greg White said USC’s project would make the most of the Sunshine Coast’s growing reputation as a sporting hub.

“This project aims to ensure that Queensland and USC are the ‘go to’ destinations for international students and academics with a passion for sport,” he said.

“The Sunshine Coast has a fantastic climate, an attractive environment and the facilities for a huge range of sporting activities and events.

“When that’s combined with the sports-related learning, internship and research opportunities at USC, it becomes a really attractive project for students and staff from overseas.”

Sunshine Coast Acting Mayor Cr Tim Dwyer said sport and its associated activities were important elements of the Sunshine Coast region’s economy.

“Through initiatives such as this and Study Sunshine Coast, Council is very pleased to partner with USC and share our credentials and capability with the world,” he said.

As well as opening up more sports-related learning pathways for students, the model also aims to recruit more academics and researchers specialising in the sports industry through an international marketing campaign.

The Sports State Project is a collaborative initiative between USC, Sunshine Coast Council and Study Sunshine Coast. It was one of a select group of programs this year to receive funding from the Queensland Government’s International Education and Training Partnership Fund.

Study Sunshine Coast is an initiative which aims to attract and retain local, national and international students to the region to study, live, work and play.

— Gen Kennedy