University of Technology Sydney

96304 Professional Practice in High Performance Sport 1

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Health
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Pass fail, no marks

There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

This subject provides embedded experiential learning in a high performance organisation. In this subject students develop relationships and critique processes, and structures that lead to creating effective and innovative athletic environments. Students apply their learnings and develop managerial expertise, interpersonal and presenting skills. The subject is also designed to provide a supportive experience through online interaction with university staff and fellow students. Throughout the professional placement experience, formative and summative assessment tasks are undertaken which facilitate growth and application of practical skills such as communication and self-reflective analysis. Guidance is provided to students in adhering to standards of professional and ethical practice in the workplace.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
A. Critically appraises high performance sport environments, and effectively evaluates practice within these environments.
B. Identifies organisational challenges and proposes suitable, realistic and evidence based solutions to overcome these.
C. Effectively collaborates with high performance staff in program delivery, utilizing a range technical / non- technical skills (e.g. communication), while adapting to challenging and complex contexts.
D. Establishes leadership and proactivity in a high performance environment through the implementation of innovative, evidence based practice.
E. Demonstrates advanced judgement, legal responsibility and ethical accountability in accordance with professional practice, governance and privacy obligations to uphold ethical practice and the values of high performance sport, fairness and athlete safety and wellbeing.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes specifically to the following graduate attributes:

  • Expertly lead change that delivers the highest quality athlete care across sport populations and program settings within multidisciplinary high performance sport environments. (1.1)
  • Adapt to an extensive array of stakeholder circumstances and integrate evidence to empower optimal and sustainable sport, exercise and health outcomes for service users. (1.2)
  • Critically appraise, assess and synthesise evidence relevant to high performance sport practice from an extensive range of sources to develop creative, innovative and effective evidence-based solutions. (2.1)
  • Expertly solve problems by applying advanced methodologies of sport, exercise and health interventions in a logical and systematic manner; and the ability to document decisions appropriately. (2.2)
  • Demonstrate expert judgement, legal responsibility and ethical accountability to practise within the ethical boundaries of high performance sport professions and in accordance with professional practice, governance and privacy obligations to uphold ethical practice and the values of sporting excellence, fairness and athlete safety and wellbeing. (3.1)
  • Expertly apply high-quality knowledge and technical and non-technical skills within sport, exercise and health professions to contribute to the safe development of specialist and non-specialist audiences. (4.1)
  • Expertly integrate expertise and synthesise evidence to determine the validity and reliability of a range of advanced methodologies, tools and techniques and employ those relevant to high performance sport practice. (4.2)
  • Demonstrate holistic collaboration with key stakeholders to expertly design, deliver and interpret safe, effective and evidence-based high performance sports interventions for service users in an inclusive and non-discriminatory manner. (5.1)
  • Expertly communicate with key stakeholders and adapt to challenging, complex and diverse industry contexts to create positive and professional relationships in a high performance sport environment. (5.2)

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject incorporates supervised and supported high performance practice experience to develop interpersonal skills and apply technical expertise. Two online platforms will be used (Canvas and MyPlacement) to support students to develop a placement plan, log placement hours, and communicate industry supervisors and teaching staff.

The online activities at the start of practicum will involve formulating a placement plan, and guidelines on how to engage all areas of the high performance department. Throughout the placement, regular check-ins will be scheduled to ensure progression of learning outcomes. Each student will have regular contact from the subject coordinator about their work at their individual placement.

Content (topics)

Module 1: Onboarding to Practicum Placement

  • Legal responsibility and ethical accountability in professional practice
  • Scoping the organisation
  • Critical reflective practice
  • Skills matrix
  • Developing a workplan for the placement

Module 2: Evaluating evidence-based practice

  • Evidence-based practice in high performance sport
  • Evaluation methods

Module 3: Evaluating your professional development

  • Building your skills portfolio
  • Assessing organisational impact & professional practice
  • Reflect on your skill development
  • Professional appraisal

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Onboarding to Practicum Placement

Intent:

The intent of this assessment is for students to be onboarded to their practicum placement. This task will provide a framework for the student to orient and integrate themselves within the high performance organisational structure, processes and culture.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

A and E

This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s):

2.1 and 3.1

Weight: 25%
Length:

Length:

Part A: 10 multiple choice questions
Part B: 750 words
Part C: Complete excel template
Part D: Complete excel template
Part E: 15-min online meeting

Assessment task 2: Evaluating evidence-based practice: Report

Intent:

The intent of this assessment is for students to effectively evaluate practices within a high-performance sport environment and provide future recommendations for innovation or improvement based on evidence.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

A, B, C and E

This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s):

1.2, 2.1, 3.1, 4.2 and 5.2

Type: Report
Weight: 25%
Length:

Part A: 1,000 word report, excluding figures and tables (template provided)
Part B: 15-min online meeting

Assessment task 3: Technical and non-technical skills within high performance sport: Case study

Intent:

The intent of this assessment is for students to provide evidence that demonstrates the technical and non-technical skills developed during the placement.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

C and D

This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s):

1.2, 4.1, 5.1 and 5.2

Type: Case study
Weight: 25%
Length:

1,500 words (~500 words / case study)

Assessment task 4: Professional practice completion and critical review

Intent:

The intent of this assessment is for students to formally complete their placement and critically review their professional practice.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

D and E

This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s):

1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1 and 4.2

Weight: 25%
Length:

Part A: 180 hr MyPlacement record, supervisor sign-off submitted to Canvas

Part B: Supervisor appraisal meeting (5-10 min audio recording)

Part C: Update and resubmit Part C: Skills matrix and Part D: Workplan and logbook from Assessment Task 1

Part D: Critical reflection (500 words)

Part E: 15-min online meeting with UTS staff member

Other resources

UTS Student Centre
Building 10
Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm
Tel: 1300 ASK UTS (1300 275 887)

Details for student centres: www.uts.edu.au/current-students/contacts/general-contacts.

For other resources/ information refer to the Faculty of Health website (www.uts.edu.au/about/faculty-health) and Canvas at: https://canvas.uts.edu.au/.

UTS Library
The Library has a wide range of resources, facilities and services to support you including textbooks, subject readings, old exam papers, academic writing guides, health literature databases, workshops, a gaming room and bookable group study rooms. There is also a team of librarians to help you with all your questions.
W: lib.uts.edu.au, Facebook: utslibrary, Twitter: @utslibrary Tel: (02) 9514 3666

Improve your academic and English language skills
Marks for all assessment tasks such as assignments and examinations are given not only for what you write but also for how you write. If you would like the opportunity to improve your academic and English language skills, make an appointment with the HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support) Service in Student Services.

HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support)
HELPS provides assistance with English language proficiency and academic language. Students who need to develop their written and/or spoken English should make use of the free services offered by HELPS, including academic language workshops, vacation intensive courses, drop-in consultations, individual appointments and Conversations@UTS (www.ssu.uts.edu.au/helps). HELPS staff are also available for drop-in consultations at the UTS Library. Phone (02) 9514 9733

Please see www.uts.edu.au for additional information on other resources provided to students by UTS.

The Accessibility and Financial Assistance Service
The Accessibility Service can support students with disabilities, medical or mental health conditions, including temporary injuries (e.g., broken limbs). The Accessibility Service works with Academic Liaison Officers in each Faculty to provide ‘reasonable adjustments’ such as exam provisions, assistive technology, requests and strategies for managing your studies alongside your health condition. If you’re unsure whether you need assistance, we recommend getting in touch early and we can provide advice on how our service can assist you. Make an appointment with an Accessibility Consultant (AC) on +61 2 9514 1177 or Accessibility@uts.edu.au.

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