Rate My Professor Colin Sanctuary

Dr. Colin Sanctuary is a Lecturer in the School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, at the University of Newcastle, Australia, where he delivers undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in research, sports science, and physical education. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from the University of Leeds, UK. His research specializations include exercise and sport science, strength and conditioning, applied sports science, sport performance, development of sporting and performance pathways, coaching and performance environments in professional sport, multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches, physical activity, movement skills, movement competency, work integrated learning, application of an ecological approach in sport, applied case studies in professional sport, athletic development, and foundational movement skills. His Fields of Research codes primarily fall under sports science and exercise (80%), other education (10%), and exercise physiology (10%).

Sanctuary leads the Work Integrated Learning program for Exercise and Sport Science and fosters industry collaborations with organizations such as the Newcastle Knights, Cricket NSW, Central Coast Mariners FC, and Newcastle Jets. He co-leads the Best Start project developing a foundational movement skills assessment tool and app for primary school children, the Indigenous Yr10 Maths in Motion program with the University of Newcastle and Newcastle Knights since 2021, and the Maths with the Mariners program since 2023. He is establishing a UON and Cricket NSW Pathway Hub and research collaborations with the NRL on wellness data and with NSWIS for swimmer support. His extensive career includes Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the University of New England (2018-2020), Manager of Player Development and Performance for State of Origin Pathways at New South Wales Rugby League (2018-2020), Performance Director of the High Performance Unit at Newcastle Knights Rugby League (2011-2016), Head of Conditioning and Sports Science at Newcastle Knights, Wakefield Trinity Rugby League (2006-2011), and Durham County Cricket Club (2000-2006), as well as Lecturer in Physical Education and Sport at the University of York St John (2000-2006). Key publications include 'Development and Validation of the Best Start Foundational Movement Skill Assessment Tool (BS-FMSAT)' (2025), 'Effects of Urolithin A supplementation on performance and antioxidant status in academy soccer players during preseason: a pilot randomised controlled trial' (2025), 'Student and Teacher Experiences and Perceptions of “Make Basketball Count” – a Program That Delivers Integrated Basketball and Numeracy Lessons for Primary Schools' (2026), 'The Provision and Experience of Variety in Physical Activity Settings: A Systematic Review' (2023), 'Conceptualising Rugby League Performance Within an Ecological Dynamics Framework' (2021), and 'The Susceptibles, Chancers, Pragmatists, and Fair Players' (2020).