UniSport Coaches Gain World-Class Tactical Insights At Bond University’s 5th Tactical Research Unit Rapid Fire Mini Congress

During Bond University’s 2025 Research Week, which highlights outstanding research happening at the university, the 5th Tactical Research Unit Rapid Fire Mini Congress brought together leaders, researchers, and practitioners in defence force bespoke strength and conditioning to share cutting-edge insights and practical strategies for conditioning new trainees for their initial basic training. The annual Mini Congress is part of Bond University’s commitment to giving back its world-leading expertise to communities, partners, and stakeholders, providing a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration.

The Bond University Tactical Research Unit (TRU) is the only facility of its kind in Australia and operates as a dedicated faculty within the University. Drawing on a broad multidisciplinary network and using specialised equipment and realistic training assets, the TRU explores the physical and operational demands placed on Defence and emergency service personnel to guide strategies that enhance performance and reduce injury risk.

A key feature of this year’s Mini Congress was the inclusion of UniSport Australia’s (UniSport) network of coaches, reflecting Bond University’s role as a foundation university in the Australian Adecco Candidate Testing and Training Program for the Defence Force (ADF). The program, which UniSport delivers through its national university network, provides Pre-Entry Fitness Assessments and Strength and Conditioning programs for ADF candidates. Since early 2024, it has offered candidates safe, high-quality training environments to build the resilience and physicality needed for initial Defence training, and has rapidly expanded nationwide, now operating across 35 sites with over 150 accredited coaches.

The Bond Mini Congress was attended by team members of UniSport including General Manager – Strategic Partnerships, Jane Woodlands-Thompson, Strategic Partnerships Administrator Bec Robertson, and UniSport Regional Coordinators including presenter Jeremy Robinson. The Mini Congress saw more than 30 UniSport coaches across Australia, both in person and online, engage with the latest research and explore how tailored strength and conditioning programs can prepare the next generation of ADF candidates for the physical and operational demands of their initial training.

Presentations from UniSport’s Bond Delivery Team, including Professor Rob Orr, Dr Ben Schram and Mr Robinson delivered compelling insights into the rising challenges impacting the fitness of future recruit candidates, and how physical training and education will need to change to meet these needs. Professor Orr noted that new candidates are increasingly presenting with lower fitness levels and poorer movement competency, emphasising the need for programs to evolve accordingly. “New candidates may be less fit and have poorer movement skills, so training needs to develop good movement skills and then progressively develop individual fitness through ability-based training” he shared. He also emphasised that conditioning principles are applied consistently across genders, with training tailored to individual capability to build the strength, fitness and resilience required for Defence training.

Building on this, Professor Orr’s presentation outlined recent research in tactical strength and conditioning alongside the growing challenges in Defence recruitment. He highlighted declining fitness levels among young Australians driven by increased screen time and reduced physical activity, while Defence is attracting more diverse candidates who often lack the baseline fitness for initial training. With recruitment targets rising amid falling fitness standards, Professor Orr stressed the need to prepare candidates as early as possible, putting them through UniSport’s Strength and Conditioning programs, testing their progress, and helping them develop the resilience required for operational roles. His presentation also addressed broader societal and global trends, highlighting the evolving context in which future Defence personnel will train and serve.

Dr Schram followed with a focused presentation on Women in Defence and conditioning female personnel for tactical service, highlighting common female-specific injuries such as lower-limb and hip injuries. He addressed common female-specific injury patterns, including lower-limb and hip injuries, and observed that reduced fitness among school leavers often amplifies these risks.

A standout presentation came from Mr Robinson, who focused specifically on strength and conditioning within the UniSport ADF Adecco Program. Delivering a highly practical session, he demonstrated common injury patterns and the correct techniques needed to address them. Mr Robinson unpacked the metabolic and biomechanical demands placed on Defence personnel, demonstrating how these insights can be applied to real-world program design for candidate preparation and operational readiness.

Within UniSport’s network, leaders such as Professor Orr, Dr Schram and Mr Robinson combine world-class expertise with real-world coaching experience, guiding practical sessions, demonstrating techniques, and applying research in ways that directly benefit candidates. Their dedication to translating research into real-world training highlights the strength of UniSport’s network and the impact it has on preparing Australia’s next generation of Defence personnel.

This expertise was further amplified through Bond University’s support, which demonstrated both camaraderie and leadership by welcoming UniSport’s ADF Adecco coaches from across Australia. Recognising the work these coaches do every day delivering Pre-Entry Fitness Assessments and Strength and Conditioning programs, the professional development opportunity was fully supported by Bond, allowing the network to learn, connect, and benefit from world-class expertise.

Ms Woodlands-Thompson expressed her gratitude to Bond University for organising and hosting the Mini Congress as the UniSport team gained invaluable insights from leaders in tactical strength and conditioning. “The UniSport cohort rated Mini Congress 2025 as insightful, engaging, and highly applicable, and it was truly impactful for practitioners at the coalface of preparing Australia’s next generation of tactical personnel. A huge thank you to Bond University and the TRU Team for hosting an exceptional event that continues to raise the bar for tactical training and research in Australia.”

Bond University’s TRU and UniSport’s national coaching network are uniquely positioned to address the evolving challenges of Defence readiness, with events like the Mini Congress amplifying their impact. By hosting the Mini Congress, Bond University showcased its leadership and commitment to advancing tactical strength and conditioning across Australia. The initiative highlighted the value of collaboration and innovation in preparing the next generation of Defence personnel, demonstrating what can be achieved when cutting-edge research is paired with practical, on-the-ground expertise.