A collaborative program operated by the Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Human Movement Studies and the Western Region Academy of Sport (WRAS) in Bathurst for strength and conditioning interns has again received a prestigious award from the United States.
Dr Stephen Bird, senior lecturer at the School of Human Movement Studies says that 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 second time we have received Strength of America Award – the first was in 2010/11 – and we are the only non-US institution among the 14 award recipients this year,” Dr Bird said.
“This honour is a credit to our strength and conditioning interns, and I would like to thank all who have contributed to the success of the Strength and Conditioning Internship Program.”
Dr Bird says 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 required as early-career strength and conditioning professionals,” he 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.”
Along with the Strength of America Award (2010/11; 2012/13), 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. To date, 16 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.
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