Steve has also been involved in a range of activities focused on providing service back to the community, including the Warriors Against Bullying (WAB) program, which focuses on teaching primary school students anti-bullying skills and enabling them to become positive role models for other students. He is also involved in the League of Libraries initiative, which aims to enhance literacy levels in primary school children.

Steve, one of the few NRL players to obtain a Masters degree, said he recognised the need for further qualifications to enable him to continue his career when he finishes playing.

“I’d love to be involved in the executive of the National Rugby League but the opportunities in the corporate field of the game are few and you need to be in a position to take them as they arise,” Steve said.

“Qualifications are important for that reason, and also for getting a job in the wider world.

“I owe a huge thanks to Southern Cross University because without their flexible and supportive approach to distance education study, there is no way I could have ever undertaken my degree while maintaining a professional sporting career.

“I hope I can serve as an inspiration to other sports people by showing them that it is indeed possible to get a university-level qualification while still being a competitive player.

“For me, gaining my degree and winning this award will hopefully open the doors to a new career in sport management.

“I have seen plenty of my high profile mates retire from rugby league thinking they would land a great job and earn as much as they did while playing sport – but they haven’t. These days you need a top degree in your back pocket if you want a good job and that is what Southern Cross University has provided me with.

“The degree is very well respected in the industry and that was a big factor in my choosing to study at SCU. Now, to win this award, is very special to me.”

Graduate College of Management: www.scu.edu.au/gcm or P: +61 7 5506 9364

Most of us are aware that simulated environments are used in  aviation, both civil and military. Today, simulation has migrated, literally, to the “coal face”, providing simulator training to expose mine workers and others to environments where mistakes can be both dangerous and costly.  It has me reflecting on a project I am working on with colleagues Prof. Mike Kraten, Allan Ellis, Steve Rowe and other faculty and students in business programs across the world. In ”Commerce Town” we are working in “secondlife” to try to provide a hyper-real managerial environment in which students experience the context of a problem in the Jhighly exciting world of Audit. The secondlife environment provides context rather than simply words on paper. This appears to me to be the way we can safely allow students to make their own mistakes and learn from them in a financially safe environment.

It was remiss of me, but I did not get the name of the people supplying Greg’s simulators.  I have spoken to the wonderful people at Thoroughtec Simulation in Perth who have a number of great videos on their website. I can’t wait to integrate some of these “coal face” simulations into the sort of real life problems faced by the people in shiny suits at head office so that our students around the globe can get that “coal face” experience in our programs.

While writing this, I’m looking forward to meeting many of my colleagues and the MBA cohort at Manakau Institute of Technology in New Zealand. Thanks to Steve and the crew on Pacific Blue DJ 52 Sydney to Auckland, your service was exemplary and the flight a pleasure

Graduate College of Management: www.scu.edu.au/gcm or P: +61 7 5506 9364

What can you expect from us and this blog?

The unexpected! We’ll be treating you to the thought-provoking, insightful and at times (possibly) delightful blogs from some of our staff. Be prepared to welcome to your computer screen:

• Professor Ian Eddie, Director of the Graduate College of Management (Our leader, who on his days off can often be found enjoying the great beaches and surf in the area)
• Associate Professor Ian Sims, Masters Program Director (all-round intellectual and proud owner of a chain-saw)
• Dr Dave Arthur, Head of our Sport Business Unit (man of many talents and former Rugby Union journeyman)

However, those fine gentlemen will introduce themselves further as they get to know you over the coming weeks.

A little about Southern Cross University….

Southern Cross University is a dynamic Australian university with more than 16,000 students. We are a leader in distance/supported education and our courses have a practical focus with an emphasis on skills and outcomes. A part of Southern Cross University, the Graduate College of Management provides world-class programs  in a variety of innovative areas, ranging from business to international sport management.

Our business and our reputation

The Graduate College of Management offers a variety of modern degrees which will help you achieve your career and personal goals. We have a reputation as market leader that produces innovative, quality degrees and graduates across a diverse range of areas. Additionally, the Graduate College of Management is responsible for introducing a variety of outstanding degrees and programs. We also offer a range of Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas qualifications within the above degrees.

Come visit us 

Visit or study at our beautiful Tweed Heads Campus situated in the Tweed region. This region is renowned for its beautiful beaches and rainforests, and just five minutes from the buzzing nightlife, rich culture and thriving economy of the Gold Coast. At our Tweed Gold Coast campus you will receive access to modern facilities and technology in addition to spacious, comfortable classrooms and other student facilities.  

Interested in us or studying with us… visit our website www.scu.edu.au/gcm or P: +61 7 5506 9364