“There is Nothing that I Learnt in Sport that Doesn’t Apply to Business, or Life”: The Continued Education and Career Development of Professional Sports People

Lisa Barnes
(Avondale College of Higher Education, Australia)

Abstract: The business of sport has always been popular in countries all over the world. This research shows the success of organizations such as RUPA (Rugby Union Players Association), Universities, Industry and Players of Rugby when they play together off the field in educating professional sports people. This research was completed over 3 years, with 2 different rugby organizations, the NSW Waratahs and the 2016 Olympic qualifying Australian Rugby 7s’. The use of the Curriculum, Assessment, Pedagogy and Collaboration (CAPC) model, shows a tailored education program designed specifically for professional sportspeople, not used to sitting in a classroom for any length of time. The CAPC model provided rugby players/students with guest lectures by industry experts and using their industry partners enabled students to tour major industry facilities to cement their classroom learning. Outcomes included 20 rugby players graduating from the advanced diploma of management program over a 3-year period. The collaboration of such organizations over a 3-year period also resulted in reciprocal university research for these sporting clubs, and their industry partners. The CAPC model designed for professional sports people bring sport, industry and education together off the field, a collaboration resulting in win-win outcomes for all.