Games face for Brisbane 2032 role

29 January 2025
Fabio Serpiello stands indoors, wears a black jacket and white shirt.
Professor Fabio Serpiello

By Mary Bolling

CQUniversity is sharing its sporting expertise with a new appointment helping shape how Queensland universities prepare for the state to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games.  

CQUniversity Director of Sport Strategy Professor Fabio Serpiello is the new Chair of the Queensland Universities 2032 Games Engagement Committee (QUGEC).

The committee represents the nine universities within Queensland, and identifies and shares opportunities for the sector to contribute to Brisbane 2023, and its legacy for the state and nation.

Prof Serpiello said the committee, formed in 2024, would also coordinate inter-university projects to support Games engagement.

“The university sector is well positioned to work with government, industry, community and the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee – to maximise 2032 participation, community impact, and legacy into the future,” he said.

“Brisbane 2032 will put the spotlight on our state, and QUGEC provides a collaborative platform to grow Queensland’s standing as an inclusive higher education destination for study, research and industry engagement.” 

Prof Serpiello and CQU Dean of the School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Prof Andy Stewart are CQU’s two representatives on the QUGEC.

Prof Serpiello, who is CQU’s inaugural Director of Sport Strategy, has also recently joined the Elite Sport Education Network (ESEN) Advisory Group, providing advice to the Australian Institute of Sport for supporting elite athletes, coaches and officials while they study.

Prof Serpiello is driving CQU’s new Sport Strategy, to align and drive new study pathways, partnerships and projects in Australia, focused on sport, exercise and physical activity. 

It will also showcase CQUniversity’s existing strengths, including Exercise and Sport Sciences courses, and health and wellbeing research with organisations like the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and National Rugby League (NRL).

CQUniversity’s national footprint, with campuses in four states and across central, north and south-east Queensland, also offers opportunities for both engagement in regional and Indigenous communities.

“CQU is uniquely placed to connect with athletes, fans and communities at every level of sport in Australia,” Prof Serpiello said.  

“Especially as we approach major sporting events like the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics, it’s a crucial time for capitalising on interest in sports, exercise and physical activity, and empowering competitors and fans to maximise the benefits they get from our national pastime.”