Australian universities offer a range of innovative, world-class sports degrees

At the 2004 Olympics, Aussie swimmers, divers, rowers, cyclists, baseball and women's basketball teams were big winners. Athletes like Ian Thorpe and Jodie Henry are becoming famous for setting new world records.

Australia has also raised world champions in tennis (Wimbeldon champion Lleyton Hewitt and Pat Rafter), golf (LPGA Tour champion Karrie Webb), surfing (former ASP World Tour champion Mark Occilupo and six times world champion Layne Beachley), and team sports such as rugby union and cricket. In the 2002 Commonwealth Games, Australia came first and set a new games record with a total haul of 206 medals.

Australia's obsession with sport is encouraged by a great climate, lots of open space and state-of-the-art facilities. Such an environment makes Australia a top choice for sports-related education. The Australian Institute of Sport is in Canberra, and each State and Territory has an academy of sport. Much research is put into sports science including human movement, sports psychology, and equipment engineering.

With an Australian qualification, you don't have to be an elite athlete to work in the industry you love, or to help your country to sporting success. There are degrees in sports administration, economics, management, marketing, human movement and sports sciences, physiotherapy, coaching and administration, sports medicine, journalism, education, law and tourism.

The rapid expansion of the sports industry means that sport management professionals are in high demand. Australia's high quality training in this area was proven during the 2000 Olympic Games. Much of its success had to do with management and organisation, and many of the people with chief roles in these areas were graduates from Australian universities. Studying sport in Australia can be your passport to a well-paid career and a secure future.

Article by IDP Education Australia