Member's News
No.40
January 2004
 
    

Queensland University of Technology Scores with Rugby Conference
Heath Kelly, Australia
1999 World Cup-winning Wallaby coach Rod Macqueen, who delivered the conference's opening Keynote Address


As Australia basks in the glow of hosting the most successful rugby world cup eber staged, qut can also be proud of its contribution to a memorable sporting event.
Last year’s thrilling Rugby World Cup produced plenty of magic moments, from England’s famous victory in the dying seconds of the final against Australia to the face painted supporters who embraced minnow nations such as Georgia and Namibia.
But for QUT, the highlight of the tournament was without doubt the success of the International Conference on the Science and Practice of Rugby.
The three-day conference marked a seminal moment in the brief history of QUT’s Centre for Rugby Studies, which organised and hosted the IRB endorsed Conference, in partnership with Queensland Rugby.
Attended by more than 250 delegates from 15 countries the conference was the culmination of many months of exhaustive planning since the concept of staging such an event during the World Cup was first floated in 2001.
Centre for Rugby Studies director David Keating hailed the conference a resounding success and the hard work that went into organising the event well worth the effort
“It was a fantastic meeting of rugby minds from very diverse backgrounds and expertise and was a conference with a great feel to it,” Mr Keating said.
“We have received very positive feedback from many of the delegates who attended the event,” he said.
Speakers at the conference, staged at the Brisbane Sheraton from November 5-7, included Australia’s 1999 World Cup winning coach Rod Macqueen, celebrated former Wallabies John Eales and Tim Horan, and Australian Rugby Union CEO John O’Neill.
The conference, backed by the International Rugby Board (IRB), attracted a great deal of mainstream media attention from throughout the rugby world and even made an appearance on British and Swedish television and in Germany’s print media.
The conference, which focused on sports science, sports medicine, coaching and contemporary issues also significantly raised the profile of QUT’s Centre for Rugby Studies.
“It certainly has given us a better profile in the rugby world and what the centre has to offer,” Mr Keating said.
“It has led to a number of enquiries about our courses with many of those who attended the conference either keen to do research here at QUT or in collaboration with QUT.
“We were one of the only universities to play a significant role in the World Cup and senior Australian Rugby Union and International Rugby Board officials acknowledged the value of the conference,” he said.
Not one to rest on its laurels, the Centre for Rugby Studies has another conference in the pipeline to coincide with a major international rugby match in Brisbane.
The centre is also planning several major programs in 2004, including training camps, coaching courses and a rugby carnival.


David Keating
QUT Centre for Rugby Studies
Victoria Park Road
Kelvin Grove Qld 4059
Email: da.keating@qut.edu.au



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