Swinburne and Richmond launch sports development program in Albury-Wodonga
In Summary
- Swinburne and Richmond’s co-delivered sports development program will expand to Albury-Wodonga in 2019
- Successful graduates of the program are eligible to progress into a Swinburne degree
- Students have the opportunity to gain work experience or be employed by Richmond’s wholly-owned subsidiary business, Aligned Leisure
Swinburne and the Richmond Institute of Sports Leadership (RISL) co-delivered program will expand its reach to Albury-Wodonga from 2019, providing regional students with a unique learning opportunity.
Swinburne and Richmond Football Club teamed up in 2016 to establish the Richmond Institute of Sports Leadership, developing the next generation of sports leaders through the Diploma of Sports Development/Diploma of Leadership and Management.
In just two years, RISL has grown from 45 students in 2017, to 130 currently undertaking the course at The Swinburne Centre at Richmond’s Punt Road Oval.
Students in the Albury-Wodonga program will study the Diploma of Sports Development, with units in Managing Athlete Performance, Coaching and Project Management. They will also hear from Institute Ambassadors, and be provided with industry placement and employment opportunities.
On successful completion of the program, students can progress to a Swinburne degree in a range of undergraduate courses in Business Management, Exercise Science and Education.
Executive Director of Pathways and Vocational Education, Mish Eastman, says Swinburne is thrilled to be involved in delivering this quality education experience to regional students.
“It’s wonderful to see RISL expanding its reach and offering this unique program to a new group of talented young people. We’re excited to engage with a new community of future sports leaders and teach them practical sports management and leadership skills,” Ms Eastman says.
Opportunities for industry experience
Richmond is also in the unique position to provide students demonstrating excellence with potential placement and employment opportunities at the Club’s wholly-owned subsidiary business, Aligned Leisure, and its network of associated businesses.
Aligned Leisure will expand to manage and operate Albury-Wodonga’s premier leisure and recreation facilities, including the Wodonga Sports and Leisure Centre.
“We’re fortunate to grow our presence in the Albury and Wodonga communities, through our Next Generation Academy and Aligned Leisure, and we see a rewarding opportunity for tertiary students in the region to experience our program locally,” Richmond CEO, Brendon Gale says.
“We’ve already seen some encouraging outcomes and success from our RISL program, it’s a quality and unique course and partnered with a respected university in Swinburne, so we’re really excited to bring it to Albury-Wodonga.”
The Richmond Institute of Sports Leadership will host an Open Day in Wodonga for interested students and families on Monday 9 July at the Albury Entertainment Centre.