Investigating the Match and Training Demands of Women's Australian Rules Football (AFLW): Supporting Performance and Health of Female Australian Rules Football Players

This industry linked PhD scholarship opportunity has been developed in partnership between the School of Health Sciences at UNSW and the Sydney Swans Football Club. The candidate will have a dual role as a PhD student in the School of Health Sciences while being embedded at the Sydney Swans Football club. The candidate will have a clear role in the Sydney Swans contributing to operational processes throughout the season and work directly with the AFLW Head of Athletic Performance and alongside the AFLW high performance team. The candidate must have an interest in athlete monitoring in Australian Rules Football and Women’s Sport.

The research project will investigate the match and training demands of the Sydney Swans AFLW program and pathway programs. The overarching aim of this PhD is to understand the trajectory and rate of change in physical demands for the growing AFLW competition to assist players and coaching staff to adequately prepare players for the highest level of competition. This research will have direct impact for the Sydney Swans to help develop their AFLW program and pathway programs to ensure player readiness and continued success of the AFLW program.

The successful candidate will need to meet the both the UNSW academic and Sydney Swans practical expectations. The candidate will have the opportunity to work across multiple locations, primarily being Sydney Swans Head Quarters and the Biological Sciences Building at UNSW Kensington upper campus.

As an applicant you should have experience in sport science and an interest in performance analysis and/or sport analytics. Candidates must have completed either a Master by Research or relevant Honours degree (Class 1 or 2A), and have evidence of excellent research, analytical, project management oral and written communication skills. A demonstrated ability to disseminate research findings (e.g., peer-reviewed publications) is preferred. The preferred candidate will be supported through the application process by the research team at UNSW.

Scholarship