Surfing will be part of the Olympic Games for only the second time this year, and a University of South Wales (USW) graduate is helping her team prepare to compete.

Dr Joanna Parsonage, a former student at USW, is now the research and innovation manager at Surfing Australia, a role crucial to the success of the Australian team.

Dr Parsonage completed a postgraduate degree in Sports, Health and Exercise Science at USW.

Her journey from university to the Olympic stage began with her research at USW, which focused on strength and conditioning coaching.

She said: "During my studies, I was successful in getting a placement with Cardiff Blues academy rugby team.

"After completing the masters degree, I kept my connections with Welsh Rugby and worked with Welsh Tennis too."

She eventually emigrated to Australia to pursue a PhD opportunity with Surfing Australia, which turned out to be a life-changing decision.

Dr Parsonage said: "A PhD opportunity came up with Surfing Australia, but it was not on my radar to do a PhD at all, I didn’t think I was clever enough."

After five months of arduous preparation, she secured her PhD scholarship and made her move down under.

Dr Parsonage completed her PhD in 2018. Following this, she heard that surfing was going to be announced as an Olympic sport.

She said: "My role transitioned from a Strength and Conditioning Coach for Surfing Australia then, with the Olympics announcement, my role evolved into 50 per cent strength and conditioning and 50 per cent research and innovation."

At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, held in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Australian team in which she played a vital role secured a bronze medal in the Men's category.

Dr Parsonage said: "Covid changed everything. Three of us were quarantined together conducting the performance analysis in a small room.

"But it was great for the sport to be part of that competition and to bring home a medal in our first ever Olympics."

Leading into the Paris Olympics, Dr Parsonage's role became full-time research and innovation.

While the surfing heats will be held in Tahiti, French Polynesia, Joanna and lead performance analyst, Reuben Koorey will be working in Canberra at the Performance Analysis Hub in the Australian Institute of Sport.

Dr Parsonage said: "Without giving too much away, we will be gathering data which will help inform the athletes and the coaches on strategies that they can implement in a heat.

"In the run up to the Olympics, we have also been conducting some really interesting research."

Dr Parsonage's primary interest is female performance.

She said: "Tahiti has some of the biggest and most dangerous waves in the world and 14 years ago, female surfers were banned from competing there.

"So, our female surfers have never surfed there, and we have only had three years to get them ready."

Dr Parsonage also constantly collaborates with other universities on research projects.

She mentioned: "I am also affiliated with Griffith University here and always looking for opportunities to cross-collaborate on research projects."

Despite living in Australia for a decade and currently applying for citizenship, she still maintains strong links with USW, particularly with her former supervisor, Dr Morgan Williams.

Dr Parsonage said: "When I give talks to students who want to work in professional sport, I am realistic with them about how much effort it takes to get these jobs and to climb the ladder like I have.

"They must be passionate about the area and work hard, take up those internship opportunities and build key relationships, because you never know when they will come into play."