ASTN and ESSA announce partnership to drive innovation in sport science and technology

November 12, 2021

Australian Sports Technologies Network (ASTN) and Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) have announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Effective immediately, the ASTN-ESSA MOU outlines a collaboration to jointly promote and support industry engagement - helping ‘connect the dots’ by linking start ups to the wider sporting community while also facilitating innovation, opportunities and growth.

As the peak body representing qualified Australian exercise and sports science professionals, academics and researchers, ESSA supports its members, accredited professionals and the community to improve the health and performance of all Australians.

ASTN supports local sports tech entrepreneurs with an opportunity to bring their innovative technology-based product ideas for application in sport to market.

Beyond the joint promotion of events, ASTN and ESSA will drive collaboration between sports tech start ups and ESSA’s large member base which includes practitioners like Accredited Exercise Physiologists, Accredited Exercise Scientists, Accredited Sports Scientists and Accredited High Performance Managers.

Announcing the partnership, Dr Martin Schlegel (pictured), ASTN Director and Board Member, advised “this partnership will enable sports tech entrepreneurs to connect with ESSA’s practitioners to get real world feedback - which is critical when validating new technologies as part of the commercialisation process.

“ESSA’s large member base knowledge is invaluable to our early-stage start ups, entrepreneurs, founders, and researchers - it will help facilitate local sports tech start up success and build the future of sport for everyone.”

ESSA Chief Executive, Anita Hobson-Powell, added “as global leaders in world-class sports technology and innovation, ASTN is a natural fit in helping us provide our members with exposure to the latest technology and cutting-edge ideas. Through this partnership we look forward to driving further innovation and capabilities in the sport sector.”

ASTN already has an existing partnership with the Queensland Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport’s (DTIS) through its flagship program ActiveKIT - which supports innovative solutions within the Active Industry to increase physical activity participation of Queenslanders.

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