The Fremantle Dockers and Curtin University will today formally announce an alliance between the club and WA’s biggest tertiary institution.

Fremantle’s general manager of strategic projects Brad Paatsch said the alliance with Curtin University was both integral to the club’s new elite training and administration facility (ETAF) at Cockburn Central West, which will be integrated with the City of Cockburn’s new regional physical activity and education centre, and to the ongoing development and performance of the club on an off the field.

The overall cost of the Cockburn project, including Fremantle’s integrated facility, is $106 million, with the alliance between the club and the university providing ongoing student placements and research opportunities.

Paatsch said Curtin was initially identified as a potential alliance partner because of the university’s significant expertise in exercise science and physiotherapy.

“It made sense to approach Curtin University in the first instance about forming an alliance  from an exercise science and physiotherapy point of view,” Paatsch said.

“Through further discussions it became apparent that Curtin had a strong presence in the area of multi-media studies and that became an initial focus as well.

“Additionally, Curtin’s involvement with the City of Cockburn in the nearby GP Super Clinic and the university’s focus on its growth and presence in the South-West Growth Corridor further strengthened the opportunity for an alliance.”

In the 12 months leading up to the alliance being formalised, Curtin’s film and TV undergraduate students have been providing video and written content for the club’s website via their coverage of Peel Thunder games.

This will expand to four masters’ students being attached to Fremantle’s Media and Communications Department throughout 2016, ahead of the club’s move to its new facility at Cockburn Central West in 2017.

In 2016 and beyond, Curtin’s film and TV students will provide additional content, including the production of a football panel show for Docker TV.

In due course undergraduates in the areas of exercise science and physiotherapy will have the opportunity to gain practical experience and “real world” employment and training opportunities at the club plus undertake research.

The agreement allows for Fremantle staff access to Curtin’s academic staff resources and infrastructure in the areas of multi-media, exercise science, sports medicine and, in the future, other disciplines.

The club will also be working with Curtin to undertake specific research in areas that will benefit both parties and, importantly, provide the club with access to cutting edge research outcomes.

Fremantle CEO Steve Rosich said the club looked forward to working closely with Curtin’s students and staff to enhance and grow the alliance.

‘It is very much a two-way street, with significant benefits to both Curtin University and the Fremantle Dockers,” Rosich said.
“The ability of the club to provide ‘real world’ experience for Curtin students and for our players and staff to benefit from the university’s academic expertise and research capabilities exemplifies that.

“The aligning of highly regarded tertiary institution with an elite sporting organisation also creates an environment for Fremantle to make an ongoing and significant contribution to the community by providing genuine employment opportunities for Curtin University graduates.”

Curtin vice-chancellor, professor Deborah Terry  said: “I am delighted that two iconic WA brands are joining forces to create valuable, real-life experiences for our students while providing Fremantle Dockers staff with access to Curtin’s cutting-edge research.

“Through this alliance we will work together to identify future avenues for collaboration that will give back to the WA community. This will include projects around Aboriginal outreach, public health and international student engagement.”