ProfessorDonna O'Connor

Project Opportunities

Title: Athlete Development and Performance Network

Summary of opportunity:

Our purpose is to form research collaborations that will enhance athlete development and performance by providing contemporary evidence-based approaches rather than relying on traditional outdated practices. We aim to:

• conduct multidisciplinary research into athlete development and performance. This will include developing a greater understanding of talent development environments, performance under pressure, and coach/teacher professional learning.
• provide evidence-based recommendations to key stakeholder organisations and individuals.
• publish our research in a wide range of outputs.

Opportunity synopsis:

Advancing understanding of best practice in sports education
We bring together sport researchers from across the University, government and non-government agencies, organisations and associations to enhance athlete development and performance.

Project Opportunities

Title: High Performance Sport

Summary of opportunity:

Donna's doctoral thesis was titled 'An investigation of aetiological factors contributing to groin injuries in professional rugby league players'. Her research and conference presentations cover athletic profiling, science and football, optimising performance, injury prevention and coach education.

Opportunity synopsis:

Research interests

Health and sport

• Sports performance

Learning sciences; psychology of education

• Learning technologies and new media

Research on teaching and learning

• Health and physical education and development

Keywords: coaching effectiveness, athlete development, youth sport coaching, coach learning, high performance sport

----------Current Research Projects----------

• An investigation of junior rugby league (6-12 years). The project will compare demands and participation levels under existing rules to proposed rule changes.Funded by the ARLD (2012)
• Community junior sport coaching. O'Connor, D. & Cotton, W. (2009-2010). Funded by NSW communities in partnership with Australian Sports Commission, NSW Rugby League and Australian Rugby Union (84,500).
• Partnerships with local Indigenous community agencies: Do service learning opportunities enhance sociocultural understanding and competence of Human Movement Health Education preservice teachers. Peralta, L.R., O'Connor, D., Cotton, W., Evans, J., & Bennie, A. (2012). Funded by a University of Sydney Strategic Teaching Enhancement Project (STEPs) grant (2011)($25 867).
• Increasing Indigenous students in higher education: Is participation in sport associated with academic achievement and higher education aspirations among Indigenous students? Peralta, L., O'Connor, D., Cotton, W., Bennie, A. & Burns, K. (2012).Funded by a University of Sydney Widening Participation Grant (2011)($20,900).
• Coach learning & development. Funded by the Australian Rugby Union (2010-11; $15,000).