STWS and University of Queensland Elevating the Sports Tech Landscape
The dynamic realm of sports tech in Australia is poised for groundbreaking advancements with a newly forged collaboration. The Sports Tech World Series (STWS) has proudly partnered with the University of Queensland (UQ), elevating the upcoming 2023 Australia Sports Tech Conference as UQ takes the helm as the official Education Partner level sponsor. UQ’s distinction in sports academia is globally renowned, being ranked first in Australia and second in the world for sport-related subjects by the QS rankings. This accolade is a testament to UQ’s dedication to excellence in sports research and education. As the collaboration unfolds, the Australia Sports Innovation Week, culminating on Thursday, 31 August 2023, promises to be an unparalleled showcase of innovation and knowledge.
Professor John Cairney, Head of School at the University of Queensland’s School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, shed light on this promising union, stating, “Achieving a groundbreaking sport tech ecosystem mandates a concerted effort between industry players, government entities, and academia.” He candidly shared insights on the potential intricacies of these partnerships, given the varied interests, priorities, and timelines of the involved parties. But Professor Cairney remains hopeful, emphasising, “While the advantages of industry-university partnerships stand undisputed, we’re looking to pioneer pathways through the challenges, aiming to sculpt a premier global sport tech ecosystem.”
He further mentioned, “To achieve a successful sport tech ecosystem requires collaboration and partnership between the industry (start-ups, established companies), government, and the university sector. These partnerships, however, can be complex as each party has competing interests and priorities, different timelines, and so on.” And stressing on the importance of overcoming challenges, Cairney added, “The benefits of industry-university partnerships are well known, as are many of the barriers. We believe it is critical to identify ways to break through these barriers to build the world’s best sport tech ecosystem.”
Professor John Cairney
The University of Queensland will be hosting engaging events during the Australia Sports Innovation Week. The Sports Tech Academic Day, slated for Wednesday, 30 August, from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm, will give attendees the ability to gain insight into the latest research and academic projects being undertaken across Asia Pacific and how they are impacting the Sports Tech industry. This gathering, open to all universities and industry enthusiasts, is designed to showcase activities that are on the cusp of commercialization.
Another focal event, Co-creating the Future Sports Tech Ecosystem, scheduled for Friday, 1 September, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, is an ideation workshop that aims to co-create the roadmap for a thriving Sports Tech Ecosystem. The focus of this event is understanding how collaboration between industry (start-ups, established companies), government, and the university sector can overcome complex challenges. Participants from all areas of the Sport Tech Industry are invited for this collaborative discussion.
The University of Queensland’s commitment is evident: “Breaking barriers and forging robust solutions through listening and co-creation with the industry is our primary objective. We envision enhanced partnerships in the sports tech sphere,” said Professor Cairney.
Professor Cairney further expressed, “The University of Queensland believes it is critical to identify ways to break through barriers to build the world’s best sport tech ecosystem. We also believe it’s vital for universities to listen to the industry so we can co-create solutions that work for all parties. That’s what this partnership and workshops are all about: imagining ways to build better partnerships in this domain.”
With the Q2032 Procurement Strategy heralding opportunities exceeding $180 billion, the groundwork for the Queensland Olympic and Paralympic Games is well underway. Professor Cairney highlighted, “Being Games-ready requires industry-university partnerships to continue to thrive and contribute to building the world’s best sports tech ecosystem.”
In Australia, sports are more than just a cultural touchstone. They’re a significant economic powerhouse, contributing a staggering $14.4 billion to the GDP and supporting over 128,000 jobs. The imminent STWS conference aims to delve into this fusion of sports and business, offering attendees valuable strategies and insights.
For those interested in the intersection of sports and technology in Australasia, the upcoming STWS conference offers an in-depth exploration of this fusion, presenting insights and strategies from industry experts. To learn more about the advancements in the sports tech sector and its implications for the future, consider attending the conference. Further details can be found on the official event website.
