Media release

High performance alliance shares sport science edge

Australian Catholic University’s cutting-edge sport science research will be shared internationally in an exciting new partnership with the prestigious University of Notre Dame in the US.

The partnership will also provide ACU’s Master of High Performance Sport students with a base in the United States. The highly sought after online course will now give students the opportunity to undertake internships within Notre Dame’s collegiate sport programs.

ACU’s National Head of Exercise Science Professor Justin Kemp said the partnership cements the university’s position as a leader in high performance sports.

“ACU has positioned itself as a leader worldwide in high performance sport education, and this alliance provides both institutions with a strong platform to share and expand knowledge, and influence industry practice on an international scale,” Professor Kemp said.

Two years in the making, the broad-ranging partnership will also see ACU experts heavily involved in the three-day Human Performance Summit: The 24-Hour Athlete conference featuring presentations from the best and brightest in sport science from 22 to 24 June.

Notre Dame’s alumni include former US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice and four-time NFL Super Bowl winner Joe Montana.

“We are excited to partner with ACU to capitalise on this opportunity to present insights and engage in discussions that, ultimately, will help athletes get better,” said Notre Dame Senior Associate Athletics Director Mike Harrity.

"Along this journey, students and practitioners are growing and learning, which energizes the environment and creates conditions for innovation and maximizing the potential of each and every student-athlete we work alongside."

More than 400 students have enrolled in ACU’s suite of postgraduate high performance sport courses.

The Master of High Performance Sport provides relevant professional practice-related learning and an elective opportunity for an industry-based internship.

Study units focus on contemporary techniques and technologies for athlete monitoring and advanced principles of strength and conditioning. Graduates move into myriad roles, including high performance managers, sports scientists, strength and conditioning coaches and performance analysts.

The Human Performance Summit: The 24-Hour Athlete, to be held at Notre Dame’s South Bend, Indiana, campus, offers an intensive face-to-face-component of the MHPS course.

The Summit is open to academics and practitioners working in sports science.