Surfing Australia announces Southern Cross University as Official University Partner

Surfing Australia is extremely proud to announce a new partnership with Southern Cross University, a globally recognised and progressive Australian institution. Recently awarded Most Improved University in Oceania and ranked among the world’s top 500 universities, Southern Cross is rapidly emerging as a leader in modern education.

Southern Cross University has come on board as Official University Partner and Major Partner of Surfing Australia, set to support the sport from grassroots participation, boardrider clubs, and athlete education.

Southern Cross University will support and activate across eleven of Surfing Australia’s major events, spanning the Australian Boardriders Battle series, women’s and girls’ surf festivals, junior and high school pathways, and the Australian Surfing Awards. With their first event being the Australian Interschools Surfing Championships presented by Breaka on the Gold Coast from May 13–15.

A further pillar of the partnership will see Surfing Australia host students through immersive short-term placements and internships across key departments. These opportunities will provide hands-on experience within a national sporting organisation, offering real-world exposure to marketing, events, high performance and commercial operations, while supporting the development of future industry talent.

Professor Julie Jomeen, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at Southern Cross University, said the partnership reflects a natural connection between the University’s coastal identity, its strategic purpose, and the opportunities it creates for students, researchers, and industry:

“It embeds Southern Cross University into Surfing Australia’s national ecosystem through education pathways, student placements, research collaboration and community impact within the surf and sport sectors.

A core focus of the partnership is giving students access to real‑world industry experience. This provides sport and exercise science, health and business students hands-on learning opportunities within a national sporting organisation.”

Luke Madden, Chief of Sport & Partnershipsat Surfing Australia, said the partnership strongly supports Surfing Australia’s investment in the future of the sport and its athletes:

“Surfing Australia is proud to partner with Southern Cross University, an institution embedded in one of the country’s most iconic surf regions. Positioned alongside the Gold Coast’s world-class breaks and just minutes from the Surfing Australia High Performance Centre.

With a strong track record of alumni progressing through Surfing Australia events and pathways, and some even having been part of our High Performance Program, Southern Cross University understands the demands and opportunities of the sport. Together, we’re creating a genuine pathway that supports surfers in and out of the water, from grassroots through to elite competition and into life beyond surfing.”

Together, Southern Cross University and Surfing Australia aim to support the next generation of surfers through education, opportunity and innovation, empowering individuals at every level of the sport, from grassroots participation to elite performance.