The Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) is an initiative of the Queensland Government aimed at supporting the State's elite and identified developing athletes.
Officially launched in May 1991, the Academy's goal is to ensure that Queensland remains at the forefront of domestic and international sport. To achieve this the QAS provides assistance to Queensland's talented athletes and coaches as they strive for excellence within their sport following a philosophy of being 'athlete centred, coach driven and service supported'.
The QAS has grown significantly since its initial beginnings now supporting more than 600 athletes across 22 different sports and individual scholarship places. A number of Australia's greatest sporting icons have progressed through the QAS such as Susie O'Neill, Kieren Perkins, Grant Hackett and Vicki Wilson and the Academy continues to support top sporting heroes including Jessicah Schipper, Anna Meares, Sara Carrigan, Ken Wallace and Bronwyn Thompson just to note a few.
The QAS squad and partnership programs cover a range of Olympic, Paralympic and non-Olympic sports, supporting young athletes who demonstrate the potential to excel in their chosen sport to elite level athletes who are world champions or Olympic/Paralympic medallists.
Athletes competing in sports not covered by a QAS squad or partnership program are still eligible for assistance under the Academy's Individual Scholarship Program. For an able-bodied athlete to be eligible for an individual scholarship they must be competing in an Olympic sport, with an open top ten ranking for individual sports or an open top four ranking as a member of a team. Athletes with disabilities must be competing in a Paralympic sport, with an individual top eight world ranking or two top eight finishes at significant international competitions, or be members of a national team with a top six world ranking to be eligible.
QAS scholarship holders have access to world-class coaching and support services including sport science, strength and conditioning, medical and career and education in addition to financial support, for competition and training costs, depending on the level of their scholarship.
The QAS headquarters located at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre (QSAC) at Nathan has allowed the Academy to stay at the cutting edge of athlete development and support. It has allowed the QAS to centralise its operations providing a one-stop shop for athletes, providing access to the best training and support services the State has to offer.
Features of the headquarters include a fully equipped gym, sport science laboratory equipped with the latest technology to further enhance athlete performances, on-site medical centre with access to a doctor, nutritionist and psychologist, and recovery centre equipped with a four lane 25m cross training pool, wet therapy area incorporating ice baths, hot spa, sauna and cold plunge pool as well as a dry therapy area consisting of medical suites. It also houses the first state-based Centre of Excellence for Applied Sport Science Research (COE) of its kind in Australia.
Last Updated: 16 01 2009
