Athlete Development: Strategies, Capabilities and Wellbeing
PostgraduateACU-EXSC6592024
Course information for 2024 intake
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- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 10 weeks
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
Athlete Development: Strategies, Capabilities and Wellbeing
About this subject
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Discuss careers in sport within the framework of the total human lifespand and from a perspective of respect for the individual and human dignity (GA1, GA5).
- Outline the interactions of athletic, Individual, societal and academic/vocational factors in the developkmental transitions through which athletes progress (GA1, GA3. GA5)
- Critically discuss the management of elite athletes from an individual human needs perspective (GA1, GA2, GA4).
- Develop strategies for a holistic perspective for athlete well-being when developing strategies to achieve optimal performance in the short, medium and longer term (GA4).
- Sport as a Career
- Expected capabilities
- The athlete brand - The meaning of a personal brand
The development of elite sports systems has traditionally focused on the optimal performance of the athlete. Increasingly however sport has been faced with the need to consider the development of its ‘star performers’ from a much more holistic and ‘human’ perspective. This subject will highlight the importance of an understanding of sport as the context and the athlete as a person to the effectiveness of the sport scientist and administrator.
Content knowledge in the subject will investigate holistic athlete development from three perspectives. Firstly, from an organisational perspective of the structures that have developed within Australian sport to cater for the needs of athletes both on and beyond the playing field. Secondly, from the perspective of the legal and ethical responsibilities which sport is obliged to assume for the well-being of its employees. Thirdly, a more strategic perspective is adopted which draws on contemporary human resources knowledge to propose an array of benefits that can accrue to organisations that develop and implement an athlete welfare program that is based on recognising the human dignity of the athlete and the spirit of sport. This unit aims to address the issue of holistic athlete development from each of these three perspectives.
In order to best enable students to achieve unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes, standards-based assessment is utilised, consistent with University assessment requirements. A range of assessment strategies have been purposefully designed for the assessment of learning outcomes reflecting the principles of authentic assessment design.
Students must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 50% across all assessments.- Written Assignment - Enables students to evaluate current practices and associated structures that support athletes into, within and after their sporting careers. (30%)
- Quizzes - Enables students to demonstrate understanding of and familiarity with major concepts and literature underpinning the unit content. (30%)
- Business Case - Enables students to present a case outlining the need to invest in holistic welfare and development, including reference to moral, ethical performance and business principles. (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
Established in 1991 after amalgamating four eastern Australian Catholic tertiary institutes, Australian Catholic University now has seven campuses, from Brisbane to Melbourne and welcomes students of all beliefs. Specialising in arts, business, education, health sciences, law, theology and philosophy, ACU encourages its students to think critically and ethically and bring change to their communities and offer this online through Open Universities Australia.
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Entry requirements
To enrol in this subject, you must be admitted into a degree.
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.