Physical Performance Coaching | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Accessibility links

Physical Performance Coaching

Physical performance coaches (PPC) ensure athletes in High Performance programs achieve their athletic potential. They do this using specific assessment and screening, individualised training and conditioning, required recovery and overall load management.

Highly qualified specialists

USC's PPC's are highly qualified, meeting the following strict criteria to work at USC: 

  • Degree in Sport and Exercise Science, S&C, Human Movement or similiar
  • Current member of the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA) Professional Coaching Accreditation Scheme (PCAS) at the Professional level (PCAS-P) *
  • ASCA Level 2 Coaching Accreditation **
  • Current first aid and CPR training

Younger coaches, working towards these standards, are supervised by a coach who already meets these standards.

* Refer to Professional L2 Accreditation

** Refer to ASCA Coaching Accreditation Framework

World-class facilities and teams

PPC's work with high performance squads including the USC Spartans high performance swimming team, the Sunshine Coast Lightning and the Australian Cycling Academy and support the University's High Performance Student Athlete's (HPSA's) who come from a range of sporting disciplines.

Squads and athletes have access to nationally-accredited facilities, academics and research.

High performance sporting facilities include: 

Research in Physical Performance

Research projects are a constant part of the high-performance sport environment with the outcomes assisting to improve performance and to provide coaches with further information to develop their programs.

Many of our PPC's are completing their postgraduate studies using our high-performance squads and athletes in their research.

This includes:  

USC Spartans
Sunshine Coast Lightning
Australian Cycling Academy
High Performance Student Athletes (HPSA's)

Practical experience

USC offers practical experience for coaches in high-performance programs.

Meet the coaches

Mark Mckean
Mark McKean

Head of Physical Performance in High Performance Sport

Lead PPC Sunshine Coast Lightning Netball

Lead PPC USC Spartans Swimming (Able)

Aaron Turner
Aaron Turner

Physical Performance Coach in High Performance Sport

Lead PPC Australian Cycling Academy

Lead PPC High Performance Student Athletes

Max Mckenzie
Max McKenzie

Physical Performance Coach in High Performance Sport

Lead PPC USC Spartans Swimming (Para)

Lead PPC USC Thunder Netball 

Graeme Rousseau
Graeme Rousseau

Physical Performance Coach in High Performance Sport

Assistant PPC USC Spartans Swimming

PPC High Performance Student Athletes