Appointment from 'really down under' to lead University program

Wednesday 30 August 2006

A keen advocate for the role of exercise in maintaining good health has been appointed as the Coordinator of the University of Newcastle's Sports Science and Physical Activity degree specialisation based at the Ourimbah campus.

Dr Dan Dwyer has come to the University from a similar role at the University of Tasmania and describes the appointment as an exciting challenge and one he is really looking forward to.

Dr Dwyer, whose qualifications are in Exercise Science, said he was keen to be part of the continuing development and creative control of the program.

The Sports Science and Physical Activity program is a specialisation within the Bachelor of Science and is offered exclusively at the University's Ourimbah campus. It was introduced in 2004 and has proved to be very popular. It now has more than 90 students enrolled across first and second years.

"I am very keen to develop good relationships in the community. There is no equivalent degree nearby, so there is enormous scope to bring a lot of relationships together - with business, government departments and other sporting bodies," Dr Dwyer said.

"These important relationships bring added value to the students and contribute to their overall academic experience."

It was recently announced that the University of Newcastle has invested $220,000 to build two laboratories for this program. Dr Dwyer said that this, combined with the proposed multi-purpose facility to be built on the campus, would create an ideal study environment in the area.

Dan said the degree specialisation was very much science-based and explored the relationship between exercise and health.

"This is an area that is increasingly in demand. With the rise in 'lifestyle' diseases, the study of exercise in relation to health is vital.

"When you look at all the risk factors involved in health issues, the second highest risk factor (after smoking) is physical inactivity throughout one's life.

"This is why it is so important for everyone to make time to exercise wherever possible."

"It doesn't have to be on a major scale. It can be as simple as three 10-minutes walks each day. And this can be achieved by walking to the shop instead of driving, walking the long way to the carpark, or similar."

Dr Dan Dwyer is available for media interviews. Telephone 4348 4150. A photograph is available on request.