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World Congress win

Victoria University’s Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL) will host the next World Congress on Science and Football in 2019, boosting VU’s status as Australia’s leading sport university.

The official announcement was made to an audience of over 500 international delegates at the close of the 2015 World Congress, recently held in Copenhagen.

The World Congress on Science and Football focuses on the latest and most innovative research, methodologies and applied approaches to various football codes including football (soccer), Australian rules football, rugby league, rugby union, American and Gaelic football.

It brings together international scientists and practitioners from the natural, human and social sciences to exchange knowledge on multidisciplinary aspects of the game.

Professor Hans Westerbeek, Dean, College of Sport and Exercise Science will Chair the 2019 Congress and said this represents another big win for ISEAL.

“The outstanding research reputation of ISEAL’s sport scientists and sport social scientists, as well as the University’s deep industry links to leading sports organisations were key factors in ISEAL being named as the 2019 host of this major international congress,” Professor Westerbeek said.

ISEAL has partnerships with the Western Bulldogs and the Australian Institute of Sport as well as developing collaborations with Football Federation Victoria, Melbourne Victory, Melbourne Storm and Melbourne Rebels.

Victoria University also partners with the Real Madrid Graduate School and the European University of Madrid. Students from Spain visit Melbourne and Australian students study in Madrid, with an intensive postgraduate program at Real Madrid City and at Real Madrid’s Bernabeu stadium.

“The 2019 Congress offers further opportunities to develop links with universities and sporting organisations related to football throughout Asia,” Professor Westerbeek said.

Karen Bolinger, CEO of the Melbourne Convention Bureau said the 2019 World Congress on Science and Football will attract an estimated 500 delegates, with significant economic benefits for Victoria.

“It will deliver an estimated $2.8 million economic contribution to Victoria as well as boosting the accommodation sector, with delegates expected to stay an estimated 1,875 nights,” she said.

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