Teaming up to boost female sport participation across Far North QLD

15 July 2025

CQU student Louise Fowler looks at a phone held by Libby Cook-Black, next to a young athlete, in a gym. — CQU Exercise and Sport Science student Louise Fowler (right) on a student placement at The Female Co, pictured with Libby Cook-Black (centre) and a student participant.

By Mary Bolling

CQUniversity is set to offer fresh support to women and girls in sport, thanks to a new partnership with FNQ-based initiative, The Female Co.

The two organisations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, to create new opportunities for student placements with The Female Co, research partnerships, and sporting events in the region.

The Female Co is a not-for-profit ensuring all regional and remote girls and women have the opportunity to lead, succeed, and thrive – in sport and in life.

Founder Libby Cook-Black is a proud Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait Islander) woman, a former professional athlete, and a passionate advocate for empowering women through high-performance sport.

“The Female Co is particularly focused on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls, in inclusive spaces alongside our non-Indigenous sisters, so they can all realise they are a vital part of high performance within education, workplaces, and sport as well,” Ms Cook-Black explained.

The Female Co team members with First Nations Academy athletes.

CQUniversity Director of Sport Strategy, Professor Fabio Serpiello, said the collaboration connects CQU’s exercise and sports science leaders in Cairns and across Australia, with important grassroots work to grow sporting participation and excellence.

“Our students in courses such as Exercise and Sports Science, Allied Health, Physiotherapy and Psychology will tap into practical and passionate work happening across a wide range of The Female Co’s community projects,” he said.

“As a regional university, CQUniversity understands the importance of nurturing regional sport and opportunities, and this partnership – based on our new SPORT Strategy to grow sport from participation to high performance – is the perfect way to share our expertise and world-class research facilities with women and girls who might otherwise miss opportunities to achieve their potential.”

Prof Serpiello said CQU could also work with The Female Co for collaborative research and supervision, applications for grants and funding, event promotion, and to provide educational pathways for athletes involved in The Female Co programs.

Explore CQUniversity's Sport Strategy, partnerships and programs here.