A university-sport partnership : towards a sustainable knowledge-transfer model

Abstract

In the 1980s Victoria University (Australia) and the Western Bulldogs Football Club (Australian rules) jointly initiated a range of projects which connected to teaching, research and/or community engagement. The initial ad hoc, informal and project-focused approach has subsequently progressed to more formal engagement with a clear strategy and implementation plan. This case study reports how a model that has been piloted with a sport organisation and incorporates business, science and community has formed a template for other university-community partnerships. The model builds collaboration and communications and provides a centralised referral point and templates which minimise duplication of effort. The paper highlights lessons learnt from the choice of a sport organisation to implement the model and its role in shaping university-community partnerships.