Introduction to the Next Generation Graduates Program (NGGP): Sports Data Science & AI

The Centre for Data Science (CDS), the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), and the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) are leading a consortium of government and industry organisations in sports, sports and biomedical technology, CSIRO, and 4 universities to develop pioneering sports data science capability in the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Program Overview

The NGGP grants are aimed at building a competitive and capable workforce that will drive the growth of the Australian tech sector. The program will fund a first cohort of 29 higher degree research (HDR) student placements (Honours, Masters, PhDs) and create a community of students who will learn together as they tackle research challenges.

Research Projects

The following research projects are available under the NGGP:

• Statistical learning and simulation tools for race strategy and profiling in athletics: This PhD project at QUT aims to develop methods to characterise and optimise pacing strategies for middle distance track events.
• Supporting Sporting Knowledge Discovery with Large Language Models: This PhD project at QUT seeks to develop methods to make video and/or numeric data interpretable/discoverable through Large Language Model (LLM) queries.
• Discovering Novel Strategies with Reinforcement Learning: This PhD project at QUT explores how reinforcement learning can be used to discover new sporting strategies.
• Integrating state of the art methods for time-series and athlete monitoring into decision support systems: This PhD project at the University of Technology Sydney focuses on improving the efficacy of quantifying and understanding athletes' performance longitudinally.
• Profiling athlete's throwing mechanics from video using high precision computer vision: This PhD project at QUT aims to develop high precision models to auto track throwing implements from a fixed video camera.
• AI and ML Techniques for Predicting Future Olympic and Paralympic Medal-Winning Performances: This PhD project at QUT seeks to develop sophisticated predictive models that consider the diverse categories of sports in the Olympic/Paralympic Games.
• Swimming race profiling, prediction and simulation using multivariate sensor data: This PhD project at QUT aims to develop individualised race profiles to predict race time distribution given different pacing profiles.
• A Hybrid Modelling Framework for Aerodynamic Performance Assessment in Sports: This PhD project at QUT focuses on integrating the Digital Twin and SuperSportFlow CFD for unified athlete performance and aerodynamic modelling.
• Predicting performance in Olympic Racing Sports: This PhD project at La Trobe University identifies relevant data categories for comprehensive performance prediction in racing sports.
• Characterising and Quantifying Player Performance in Wheelchair Basketball: This PhD project at QUT aims to develop advanced metrics to better compare players within and across disability classifications.
• Scanning and off-ball effort in Rugby: This PhD project at QUT explores the development of AI solutions to track off-ball effort and monitor how players scan the field.
• Modelling cumulative physical load during performance and relationships to injury: This PhD project at QUT investigates how to mitigate the risk of injury in a game by identifying a real-time measure of cumulative physical load.
• The Anatomy of a Thriving Club: Applying Data Science to Examine Organisational Capacity, Participant Growth, and Retention in Community Rugby Clubs: This PhD project at the University of Technology Sydney applies data science to examine organisational capacity and participant growth in community rugby clubs.
• Rugby facilities gap analysis: This PhD project at the University of Technology Sydney analyzes where to focus growth in facilities to prepare for future demands.
• A hard reset for cricket analysis: This PhD project at the University of Technology Sydney seeks to identify the next generation of cricket statistics and inform nuanced squad management.
• Wave forecasting at Olympic venues: complex system modelling: This PhD project at UNSW aims to improve forecasting of surf conditions at Olympic venues.
• Performance Physiology and Data Analytics in Motorsport: This PhD project at UNSW fuses sensors on both the athlete and the vehicle to monitor and optimise overall performance.
• Biology-based mental health correlations and predictions in athletes: This Honours project at QUT quantifies phenotype using AI to predict personalised markers of stress and correlates them to validated tools in mental health.
• The use of photobiomodulation (PBM light therapy) to improve athletic performance and reduce injury: This Masters project at UNSW investigates how PBM light therapy assists in athletic recovery, performance, and treatment of musculoskeletal injury.
• Prediction of relative hormonal environment for all common menstrual cycle 'types': This Honours project at QUT and UNSW develops an open-source predictive model for individual daily female hormonal profiles.
• Novel 360 degree viewing widget of menstrual cycle: This Honours project at QUT and UNSW aims to develop a novel 360-degree visualisation tool for better understanding the cyclical nature of women's training and wellbeing data.
• Novel Bayesian modelling and advanced inference to infer hydration state and dynamics: This PhD project at QUT develops novel Bayesian methods to model hydration state using data from a wearable sensor.
• Novel Neural Network Architectures for Robust and Explainable Biosensing: This PhD project at QUT develops novel neural network and deep learning-based techniques to classify a subject's hydration state and forecast future hydration states.
• Measuring Hydration State from Bioelectrical Impedance using Bayesian Inference: This PhD project at QUT aims to replicate and enhance the WearOptimo Bayesian inference pipeline for bioimpedance analysis.

Scholarship Opportunities

The NGGP offers the following scholarship opportunities:

• PhD Scholarships:
  • $41,600 pa (tax-free)
  • $20,840 in allowances (training, travel, thesis)
  • Inclusion in additional training programs specifically for the NGGP cohort
  • Open to domestic students only
• Honours/Masters by Coursework Scholarships:
  • $10,000 pa (tax-free)
  • $5,000 training allowance
  • Inclusion in additional training programs specifically for the NGGP cohort
  • Open to domestic students only

Conclusion

The Next Generation Graduates Program (NGGP): Sports Data Science & AI offers a unique opportunity for students to engage in cutting-edge research projects that combine data science and sports. With a range of scholarship opportunities available, the program aims to build a competitive and capable workforce that will drive the growth of the Australian tech sector.

Queensland University of Technology (QUT)

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Overview:

Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is a public university located in Brisbane, Australia. It is known for its focus on real-world learning and its strong research output. QUT offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including business, law, creative industries, education, engineering, health, and science.

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Services Offered:

The university provides a comprehensive range of services to support students, including:

Libraries and learning spaces:

QUT has multiple libraries and learning spaces equipped with modern resources and technology.

Gym and sports facilities:

Students have access to various gym and sports facilities, promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Food and retail:

The campuses offer a variety of food and retail options to cater to students' needs.

Student support:

QUT provides comprehensive student support services, including academic advising, career counseling, and mental health resources.

International student support:

The university offers dedicated support services for international students, including visa assistance and cultural orientation programs.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

QUT offers a vibrant campus life with numerous opportunities for students to engage in extracurricular activities. These include:

Clubs and societies:

Students can join various clubs and societies based on their interests, fostering a sense of community.

Sports:

QUT has a strong sporting culture, with opportunities to participate in various sports at different levels.

Events:

The university hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including cultural festivals, workshops, and guest lectures.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Real-world focus:

QUT emphasizes practical learning and prepares students for successful careers in their chosen fields.

Strong research:

The university is renowned for its research excellence, with a focus on addressing real-world challenges.

Industry partnerships:

QUT has strong industry partnerships, providing students with valuable networking opportunities and real-world experience.

Flexible study options:

The university offers flexible study options, including online and part-time programs, catering to diverse student needs.

Vibrant campus life:

QUT provides a dynamic campus environment with a wide range of extracurricular activities and social events.

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Academic Programs:

QUT offers a wide range of academic programs, including:

Undergraduate programs:

The university offers more than 100 undergraduate programs across various disciplines.

Postgraduate programs:

QUT provides a comprehensive range of postgraduate programs, including master's degrees, research degrees, and professional development programs.

Research degrees:

The university offers Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master of Philosophy (MPhil) programs, supporting students in conducting cutting-edge research.

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Other:

Campuses:

QUT has two main campuses: Gardens Point and Kelvin Grove.

Public venues:

The university also manages several public venues, including the QUT Art Museum and the William Robinson Gallery.

Sustainability:

QUT is committed to sustainability and has implemented various initiatives to reduce its environmental impact.

Indigenous Australians:

The university is dedicated to embedding Indigenous Australian cultures, knowledges, and perspectives across its operations.