Students beginning the new Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science (BESS) are starting their studies in a state-of-the-art teaching space in the Marquee at Wallumattagal Campus. 

This is the course’s first year, with nearly 200 students enrolling, while another 35 second-year students have transferred from the Bachelor of Human Sciences. 

Graduates will be qualified in exercise science, with the potential to work as strength and conditioning coaches, or in roles such as allied health assistants and community sport development officers. With an extra qualification tailored to an individual sport, they could also work as coaches. 

The Marquee was previously used primarily as an event space and for examinations. It was refitted with specialist flooring and training equipment in time for the start of Session 1 this year.  

The flooring and equipment are world class and are the same type used by many pro-sports teams around the world. 

The course director, Associate Professor Tim Doyle from the Department of Health Sciences, says the new rubber and artificial turf floor is a stand-out feature of the 500 square-metre building, which is divided into two teaching rooms. 

“This type of floor is designed for a very specific type of strength and conditioning training,” he says.  

“It has become the industry standard and is used by professional sports teams around the world. The facility the students are learning in is better than what many pro teams have at their disposal. It is now easily one of the best teaching facilities of its kind in Australia – if not the best. 

“The teaching rooms have areas designed for different purposes, including inlaid platforms for use in Olympic lifting, and different types of turf for running and other outdoor activities. 

“I had hoped we would have a facility like this in four or five years, so it’s very pleasing to see it in place now.”