UTS's reputation as a leader in sports management training and research has landed the University a key role in a new International Centre of Excellence in Sports Science and Management (ICESSM) to be established at Sydney's Olympic Park.

The Australian Government will provide $7.8 million for the centre, which will be a partnership between UTS, the University of Sydney and the Sydney Olympic Park Authority.

While announcing the new ICESSM, the Federal Minister for Education, Science and Training Dr Brendan Nelson said the initiative would build, and highlight to the world, Australia's skills and capabilities across the whole spectrum of sports-related fields, including sports management and marketing, sports performance and athlete development, sports technology, sports tourism and event management.

He said the centre would facilitate the international exchange of students and sports management and science professionals, strengthen Australian education at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels and attract high quality international students.

Associate Professor Tracy Taylor, from the School of Leisure, Sport and Tourism in the UTS Faculty of Business, said the centre would consolidate internationally recognised expertise and provide a range of products from short courses to PhD scholarships.

She said the ICESSM would draw on the best Australia has to offer in sports management and science and would develop alliances with other institutions that are known for their excellence in sport, including the Australian Institute of Sport.

"The primary target market of the ICESSM is international students and local and international organisations," Dr Taylor said. "It will also be a focus and driver for research and development activities in these specialised areas of study."

It is expected the ICESSM will begin offering seminars and short courses from the beginning of 2005 with other programs to commence later in the year.