USC is a place where high performance athletes rise. Purpose-built facilities provide the right setting for success in study, research, training and competition. Athletes are surrounded by world leading coaches, performance development specialists and the best sport and exercise scientists so they are well placed for success in their competitive career and beyond.
Academic pathways for athletes
The high performance student athlete program gives elite athletes the opportunity to achieve their personal best in study and sport.

The ultimate environment for sport
We've built a premier high-performance sporting destination on the Sunshine Coast. Nationally-accredited facilities give athletes an edge in high level competition, training and recovery.

Specialist athlete support
Athletes receive one-on-one support through USC's specialist clinics and strength and conditioning services.
Physical Performance Coaching gives high performance athletes and teams research-backed advice and support to achieve at the highest sporting levels.

Study and research excellence
Study sport and exercise science or discover specialist sport and exercise science research and focus on impacts on athlete performance.
Specialist research laboratories are accredited by the Australian Institute of Sport. Researchers add to a body of work that includes biomechanics, exercise physiology, psychology, coaching, and motor control and learning.
Our athletes and teams

Sunshine Coast Lightning
The Sunshine Coast’s first national sporting team, Sunshine Coast Lightning, won the national championship in its first season.

Australian Cycling Academy
Former national champions Matt Wilson and Ben Kersten have teamed up with Sunshine Coast Council and USC to create a better future for Australian cyclists.

USC Spartans Swimming
USC is home to the USC Spartans Olympic and Paralympic swimming squad.
High Performance Sport News
More blogs
Surf Boat Rower Hallum Went studying a Bachelor of Accounting (Commence) at USC Sunshine Coat
13 May 2020HPSA Hallum Went talks about his sporting journey and how the HPSA program benefits him

BMX Rider Tenniele Botfield studying a BEd(Sec)/ BRecOutdoorEnvStudies at USC Sunshine Coast
29 April 2020HPSA Tenniele Botfield talks about her sporting journey and why she chose to join the HPSA program

Surf Boat Rower Emily Morcom Commencing a Bachelor of Paramedic Science at USC Sunshine Coast
24 April 2020HPSA Athlete Emily Morcom talks about her sporting journey and why she applied for the HPSA program
Meet the team
USC's team is comprised of highly qualified professionals who are also athletes with decades of personal experience and knowledge.

Professor Brendan Burkett - Director, High Performance Sport
Professor of Sport Science Brendan Burkett OAM is the driver behind USC’s High Performance Swimming Program.

Dr Mark Sayers - Deputy Director, High Performance Sport
Dr Mark Sayers has an extensive background in the biomechanics of team sports, technique analysis, and the development of sports specific speed and power.