Inclusive sport and beach access set to strengthen
CQUniversity is set to advance inclusive sport in Far North Queensland through a series of research initiatives, student learning programs and regional partnerships.
Led by CQU Physiotherapy (Neurological) Lecturer James Czencz, the work will center on expanding the University’s award-winning U-BEACH program to sports programs across Cairns.
Initially developed by Physiotherapy Academic Sasha Job at the Bundaberg campus, U-BEACH is an initiative to help break down the barriers of beach access for people living with disability or mobility limitations.
Mr Czencz said the first partnership will include All-Abilities Surf Club Nippers programs at northern Cairns beaches.
“This is a genuine win–win for our region,” Mr Czencz said.
“We can deliver inclusive beach experiences for people living with disability while also providing authentic Work Integrated Learning opportunities for our students.”
He said the collaboration has also highlighted CQU’s commitment to embedding students in real-world settings through Work Integrated Learning (WIL).
Physiotherapy students will gain hands-on experience in inclusive practice, risk management, inter-professional collaboration and community engagement through U-BEACH and related initiatives.
This will include the expansion of all-abilities gym programs informed by Mr Czencz’s doctoral research. He has adapted the metropolitan-based FitSkills model, originally developed at La Trobe University, for research feasibility trials in regional and remote communities in Queensland.
“Authentic Work Integrated Learning is critical,” Mr Czencz said.
“Students need to see inclusion in action by working with real people, in real environments so that what they learn in the classroom translates directly into professional practice.”
These initiatives were presented at the Far North Inclusive Sports Collective (FNISC) meeting in Cairns on 19 February.
FNISC is a cross-sector network of organisations advancing inclusive opportunities in sport, exercise and physical activity.
The meeting brought together health professionals, universities, government agencies, schools, sporting organisations and people with lived experience of disability, working towards a shared Strategic Plan (2025–2032) focused on inclusion, accessibility, workforce development and sustainable community pathways.
With Physiotherapy a recent addition to the Cairns campus in 2024, Mr Czencz said the strengthened partnerships with community organisations, councils and sporting bodies are already delivering tangible outcomes.
Participants addressed strategic project areas including inclusive participation pathways, accessibility audits of local sporting facilities, workforce development and advocacy initiatives.
