High performance sport refers to athletes, sports teams and sports organisations that are focused on elite performance (e.g. national or international level athletes).
What do high performance sport professionals do?
High performance sport practitioners work with athletes and teams to optimise their preparation for elite-level competition. They are employed across a range of specialist roles, including in sport science, coaching, performance analysis, nutrition support and athlete management; together, these roles contribute to an interdisciplinary athlete development approach that’s focused on enhancing athletic performance and reducing the risk of injury and illness.
Why study high performance sport?
A high performance sport qualification can prepare you to work across the breadth of elite-level sports, both in Australia and overseas. This multi-billion-dollar industry encapsulates world-class competitions, from the Olympics and the NBA to the AFL and the FIFA World Cup. If you want to work with the world’s best athletes and teams, a high performance sport degree can help you on that path.
The flexibility of studying online, choosing my own study plan and being able to study around my job demands was important in my decision to study at UTS.
Lauren McGuigan High Performance Sport student Sports Scientist for the Charlotte Hornets (NBA)
A truly international career
As a high performance sport graduate, you’ll possess the expertise to strategically plan and deliver best-practice approaches that enhance the performance of elite athletes and teams. You’ll be able to take what you’ve learnt and apply it to any sport setting in the world, from professional sporting organisations and national and international performance institutes to schools, government and non-government funded sporting programs, as well as to research institutions dedicated to expanding the evidence base that underpins the field of high performance sport.
The UTS difference
UTS is a leading provider of high performance sport degrees. We’re known for practical, impactful, evidence-based approaches that are underpinned by the university’s profile as an international leader in sport and exercise research. Our teaching team is comprised of leading academics and highly experienced practitioners who have worked with world-class athletes and teams around the globe, which means your learning will be shaped by the real-world insights from the global high performance sport community.
Learning for life
But what really sets our courses apart is our commitment to the development of high-level critical thinking and self-guided learning skills. These skills go beyond technical knowledge acquisition, challenging you to think, question and analyse rather than simply absorbing knowledge. Ultimately, this approach will prepare you to engage with lifelong learning and professional development, both of which will be fundamental to your long-term career success.
Leadership Are effective, collaborative and responsive professionals capable of leading, managing and inspiring in the field of high performance sport.
Critical Thinking Exhibit reflective critical thinking to optimise decision making and enable positive change through creative, effective and evidence-based solutions.
Ethics, Responsibility and Professional Practice Take personal, social and ethical responsibility for their contribution to sport, exercise and health by demonstrating professional sports science practice including ethical considerations, legislated requirements and the service delivery setting.
Knowledge Application and Service Delivery Acquire knowledge of methods to increase performance and reduce injury, and apply a detailed process of planning to deliver high-quality sports performance services and optimised health outcomes for users.
Relationships, Communication and Engagement Demonstrate professional relationships, effective and sensitive communication techniques, teamwork and engagement with key stakeholders in a multidisciplinary and diverse high performance sport environment.
Indigenous Cultural Respect Demonstrate professional cultural competency, which contributes to the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians, inclusive of physical, social, emotional and spiritual wellness.
