The Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Human Movement Studies and the Western Region Academy of Sport (WRAS) in Bathurst have again received a prestigious award from the United States for their collaborative program for strength and conditioning interns.

 

Dr Stephen Bird, senior lecturer at the School of Human Movement Studies says that the CSU-WRAS Strength and Conditioning Internship Program is the only program outside the US to receive the 2012/13 Strength of America Award for excellence in delivery of strength and conditioning programs to high school athletes.

 

“This is the third time we have received the Strength of America Award – having received it in 2010/11 and 2012/13 – and we remain the only non-US institution among the award recipients,” Dr Bird said.

 

“I would thank all who have contributed to the success of the Strength and Conditioning Internship Program as it is a credit to our strength and conditioning interns.”

 

The program aims to provide strength and conditioning interns with scientific knowledge and programming expertise that enables athletes to train systematically and safely to improve sports performance and reduce the risk of injury. The interns provide individualised strength and conditioning programs for WRAS squad athletes.

 

“Completion of the Strength and Conditioning Internship Program provides successful candidates with proficient skills and knowledge they require as early-career strength and conditioning professionals,” Dr Bird said. “Interns complete 450 hours of professional placement during which they develop advanced planning and coaching of physical skills such as lifting, stretching and conditioning techniques.”

 

To date, 25 CSU students have completed the Strength and Conditioning Internship Program, after which they may be eligible for accreditation under the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA) Professional Structure Intern scheme. Previous CSU-WRAS interns, Alex Kertesz (NSW Waratahs) and Will Stuart (Sydney Roosters) are now working with professional teams.

 

Along with the Strength of America Awards (2010/11; 2012/13; 2013/14), the Strength and Conditioning Internship Program received a NSW Sports Safety Award for injury prevention in 2007, and the NSW Sports Safety Award for ‘Outstanding education and promotion of safe sport practices’ in 2009.