CQU champions home-grown talent in Cairns ahead of regional Olympics
With Cairns set to be one of only two regional locations hosting soccer in the 2032 Olympic Games, CQUniversity (CQU) is taking bold steps to nurture home-grown talent and redefine sports development in North Queensland.
In a significant move, CQU has forged a partnership with St Augustine’s College in Cairns to support sports development and performance.
This collaboration is part of a broader effort to create a pipeline of elite athletes who can compete on the world stage while remaining in their hometown.
St Augustine’s College is already a well-established feeder school for the North Queensland Cowboys rugby league team, boasting a strong track record in sports including rugby league, soccer and Australian Rules football.
Through its agreement with CQU, the college is gaining access to cutting-edge expertise, particularly in sports psychology and talent identification.
One of the key figures driving this initiative is CQU Senior Lecturer Alberto Filgueiras, a former Sports Psychologist for the Brazilian Olympic Committee and the Brazilian national men’s soccer team.
With extensive experience in sports star identification, particularly in soccer, Dr Filgueiras is applying his globally recognised research to help Cairns’ young athletes reach their full potential.
“Cairns has a massive opportunity to challenge the notion that students need to move south for better sports training and opportunities,” said Dr Filgueiras.
“By offering mental skills support to young athletes here, we’re not only fostering talent but also positioning CQU, St Augustine’s, and Cairns at the forefront of athletic development in Australia.”
Through the partnership, CQU is supporting St Augustine’s coaches in detecting and nurturing sports talent using cognitive skills testing and tailored interventions.
Additionally, Dr Filgueiras is working alongside the school’s psychologist to provide one-on-one support for students who are eager to develop their mental resilience and performance strategies.
Plans are also underway to introduce workshops focused on athlete’s mental health and wellbeing.
St Augustine’s Head of Sports Matthew Di Salvo expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating: “Our partnership with CQUniversity is an incredible opportunity for our students”.
“Having access to world-class expertise in sports psychology and talent development is a game-changer.
“We look forward to seeing the positive impact on our athletes, and we’re excited to see how this initiative grows in the coming years.”
CQU’s long-term vision extends beyond St Augustine’s, with aspirations to expand these initiatives to other schools and sporting organisations across the region.
“Sports psychology and mental skills coaching are the norm in American high schools and colleges, but remain rare in Australia,” said Dr Filgueiras.
“By strengthening the culture of sports development in Cairns, we can provide young athletes with the resources they need to excel without leaving their community.”
To further support initiatives like this, CQUniversity is investing in the future of regional Queensland by building a new campus in the region.
This expansion will ensure that high-quality education, training and sports development programs continue to thrive, reinforcing CQU’s commitment to fostering local talent and supporting the wider Cairns community.
