It’s game on for high-tech new careers

The Australian sports tech industry is thriving, currently employing more than 13,000 people, and it’s set to soar as we march towards co-hosting the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

To help create jobs of the future, Sunshine Coast Council has joined forces with learning experts Sports Tech College.

This unique collaboration will make a sports technology, sports digital and sports innovation curriculum available to the region’s primary and secondary schools.

Funded by Council, schools can access this program over the next three years.

It will provide a stepping stone for young people who are considering further study and careers in a range of fascinating areas such as sports performance analytics, wearable technology and digital health.

The program forms part of Council’s legacy ambitions towards the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and includes creating sports tech expertise and future sports entrepreneurs within Australia.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the initiative would inspire students and create jobs before and after the 2032 Games.

“Technology, data, IoT and AI are some of the fastest growing tech industry sectors within sports, health, gaming and entertainment,” Mayor Natoli said.

“We are committed to building future-ready, world-class students who understand the real-world today and the opportunities of tomorrow.

“The micro-credential program aligns with the Council’s commitment to fostering innovation and supporting the local economy with tech education highly relevant for our emerging knowledge and digital economies identified in the Sunshine Coast Regional Development Strategy 2013-2033.”

How the program will roll out

The full-year elective curriculum program "Sports Technology Towards 2032" will be made available to all schools and teachers within Years 5-6 (primary school) and Years 7-10 (secondary school) within the Sunshine Coast region. 

Through this partnership, Sunshine Coast schools will have the opportunity to collaborate with the Sports Tech College to deliver specialised courses that cover a wide range of topics, including sports analytics, wearable technology and digital health.

Upon successful completion of the program, these micro-credentials will enhance students’ knowledge and prepare them for further university studies and future careers in a rapidly growing sector.

SportsTech has been identified in the Queensland Government’s Elevate 2042 Legacy Strategy as an important component of leveraging the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games to create jobs for the future.

This initiative with Sports Tech College has the potential to grow the capacity of local businesses and start-ups on the Sunshine Coast and to develop the skills of our future workforce so we are ready to help shape the economy of the future.

A growing industry with promising futures

According to the Australian Sports Technologies Network Sports Innovation Report, the Australian sports tech industry is thriving, valued at approximately $4.25 billion annually and employing more than 13,000 people^[1].

Experiencing unprecedented growth, the sector is being driven by advancements in technology and an increasing demand for data-driven insights in sports performance, wearable technology and digital platforms.

When will it all happen

Phase 1 of the new school curriculum program will be delivered between 2024-2026 by Sports Tech College, an Australian-based sports, entertainment and gaming technology education business.

Sports Tech College Founder Matt Dobell said the Sunshine Coast offered two outstanding  opportunities to leverage towards the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games – the Sunshine Coast International Broadband Network which provides the fastest connection from the east coast of Australia to Asia, and access to a high speed/low latency WiFi 6 Network for testing new technology in a real-world environment.

“These both offer significant opportunities for sports technology sector entrepreneurs and educators like us,” Mr Dobell said.

“Teaching today’s school students practical, job-ready knowledge and digital practice is critical to their development and understanding of future technologies and possibilities.

“Working with Sunshine Coast Council, we have been able to customise content so that all school students can explore, celebrate and build sustainable solutions through the lens of sports technology, giving them a natural competitive edge when preparing for their future careers.

"Imagine, by 2032, having thousands of young professionals and volunteers from the Sunshine Coast with a deep respect and passion for sports technology and digital transformation.”

“This is an opportunity for teachers and schools to have made a meaningful, lasting contribution to our next generation of leaders for Queensland and Australia". 

Schools can contact the Sports Tech College’s founder Matt Dobell via email [email protected] or mobile 0438 513 546.

About Sports Tech College

Through our comprehensive programs and resources, we strive to empower individuals to engage with cutting-edge technology, fostering a global community of learners who are equipped to drive positive change and innovation in the ever-evolving landscape of sports. 

Founded in Melbourne, Australia — now a world-leader in sports and education — Sports Tech College was created to solve the problem that industry-education was too slow, too expensive and unnecessarily complex. Our Online Library is a world-first platform to access cutting-edge industry reports and intelligence in Sports, Entertainment, Gaming and Health — this helps save time, save money and accelerate learning. https://www.sportstechcollege.com.au/