Section: Overview
Overview
Key publications
Research funding
Supervising & teaching
Career

Key details

Areas of expertise

  • Applied sports science
  • Sport analytics
  • Athlete tracking
  • Decision support systems

Available to supervise research students

Available for media queries

About Samuel Robertson

Sam leads the Sports Performance & Business program within the Institute for Health and Sport. He oversees a number of the university's sports knowledge exchange partnerships, including those with Western Bulldogs. Sam supervises co-appointed staff, PhD and Honours students, as well as implementing innovative performance strategies with these partners.

Prior to arriving at the university, Sam worked as a sport scientist in various institute roles in both Australia and the United Kingdom. He returned to Australia to undertake multiple applied roles in Australian football and golf.

He completed his PhD at Edith Cowan University in skill acquisition & talent identification as part of his role in Research and Innovation with the Golf Australia High Performance program. Prior to commencing at VU, Sam also held an ongoing position as the Lecturer in Biomechanics at Deakin University.

Sam maintains a variety of research interests related to improving sporting performance. Most notably, he focuses on the application of sports analytics to sports performance problems, and has a particularly interest in improving the decision-making and skill development of both athletes and organisations.

Qualifications

  • PhD
  • MSc

Key publications

Year Citation
2019 Robertson, S., Spencer, B., Back, N., & Farrow, D. (190603). A rule induction framework for the determination of representative learning design in skilled performance. Journal of Sports Sciences, 37(11), (1280-1285).

doi: 10.1080/02640414.2018.1555905

2018 Woods, C. T., Robertson, S., Collier, N. F., Swinbourne, A. L., & Leicht, A. S. (180301). Transferring an Analytical Technique from Ecology to the Sport Sciences. Sports Medicine, 48(3), (725-732).

doi: 10.1007/s40279-017-0775-2

2018 Robertson, S., & Joyce, D. (180201). Evaluating strategic periodisation in team sport. Journal of Sports Sciences, 36(3), (279-285).

doi: 10.1080/02640414.2017.1300315

2018 Corbett, D. M., Bartlett, J. D., O connor, F., Back, N., Torres-Ronda, L., & Robertson, S. (180102). Development of physical and skill training drill prescription systems for elite Australian Rules football. Science and Medicine in Football, 2(1), (51-57).

doi: 10.1080/24733938.2017.1381344

2017 Robertson, S., Kremer, P., Aisbett, B., Tran, J., & Cerin, E. (171201). Consensus on measurement properties and feasibility of performance tests for the exercise and sport sciences: a Delphi study. Sports Medicine - Open, 3(1),

doi: 10.1186/s40798-016-0071-y

2017 Woods, C. T., Robertson, S., & Collier, N. F. (171002). Evolution of game-play in the Australian Football League from 2001 to 2015. Journal of Sports Sciences, 35(19), (1879-1887).

doi: 10.1080/02640414.2016.1240879

2017 Spencer, B., Robertson, S., & Morgan, S. (170704). Modelling within-team relative phase couplings using position derivatives in Australian rules football. Mathematical and Computer Modelling of Dynamical Systems, 23(4), (372-383).

doi: 10.1080/13873954.2017.1336732

2017 Farrow, D., & Robertson, S. (170601). Development of a Skill Acquisition Periodisation Framework for High-Performance Sport. Sports Medicine, 47(6), (1043-1054).

doi: 10.1007/s40279-016-0646-2

2017 Robertson, S., Bartlett, J. D., & Gastin, P. B. (170401). Red, amber, or green? athlete monitoring in team sport: The need for decision-support systems. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 12 (73-79).

doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2016-0541

2017 Bartlett, J. D., O'Connor, F., Pitchford, N., Torres-Ronda, L., & Robertson, S. J. (170201). Relationships between internal and external training load in team-sport athletes: Evidence for an individualized approach. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 12(2), (230-234).

doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2015-0791

Research funding for the past 5 years

Please note:

  • Funding is ordered by the year the project commenced and may continue over several years.
  • Funding amounts for contact research are not disclosed to maintain commercial confidentiality.
  • The order of investigators is not indicative of the role they played in the research project.

Active One Group Pty Ltd - Innovation Connections Grants (ICG) x 2
From: Dept of Industry, Science and Resources, Innovation Connections
Other investigators: Mr Scott Williams
For period: 2023-2024
$100,000
AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE (AFL) 2023 - AFL Game Analysis -Development of a Congestion Metric (Dr Bart Spencer)
From: Australian Football League
Other investigators: Dr Bartholomew Spencer
For period: 2023-2024
Not disclosed
FIFA Work Statement Cadiz EPTS 2023
From: FIFA
Other investigators: Dr Kevin Ball, Prof Robert Aughey
For period: 2023-2023
Not disclosed
2023 FIFA-CADIZ EPTS TEST EVENT – Barin Sports (Bulgaria)
From: FIFA
For period: 2023-2023
Not disclosed
2023 FIFA-CADIZ EPTS TEST EVENT – Catapult Sports Pty Ltd
From: FIFA
For period: 2023-2023
Not disclosed
Fitogether - Tech Provider Agreement (Cadiz 2023)
From: FIFA
For period: 2023-2023
Not disclosed
2023 FIFA-CADIZ EPTS TEST EVENT – PlayerData Ltd
From: FIFA
For period: 2023-2023
Not disclosed
2023 FIFA-CADIZ EPTS TEST EVENT – Sportlight Technology Limited
From: FIFA
For period: 2023-2023
Not disclosed
2023 FIFA-CADIZ EPTS TEST EVENT – STATSports Group LTD
From: FIFA
For period: 2023-2023
Not disclosed
2023 FIFA-CADIZ EPTS TEST EVENT – HawkEye Innovations Limited
From: FIFA
For period: 2023-2023
Not disclosed
2023 FIFA-CADIZ EPTS TEST EVENT –SPORTS DATA INNOVATION SL
From: FIFA
For period: 2023-2023
Not disclosed
2023 FIFA-CADIZ EPTS TEST EVENT – KINEXON Sports & Media GmBh
From: FIFA
For period: 2023-2023
Not disclosed
2023 FIFA-CADIZ EPTS TEST EVENT – Player Data Ltd 
From: FIFA
For period: 2023-2023
Not disclosed
Australian Sports Commission (Australian Institute of Sport) Collaborative Research Agreement
From: Australian Sports Commission (ASC)
Other investigators: Dr Jade Haycraft
For period: 2023-2024
Not disclosed
SkillCorner - EPTS Program - Manufacturers Test Agreement FIFA
From: FIFA
Other investigators: Prof Robert Aughey, Dr Kevin Ball
For period: 2023-2023
Not disclosed
Safety netting for golf facilities
From: Innovation Connections
Other investigators: Dr Jarred Pilgrim
For period: 2023-2024
$117,826
FIFA-VU Knowledge Exchange
From: FIFA
Other investigators: Prof Robert Aughey, Dr Kevin Ball
For period: 2023-2023
Not disclosed
Cricket Tasmania PhD Scholarship
From: Cricket Tasmania
For period: 2023-2023
Not disclosed

Western Bulldogs-Victoria University Sport Science Knowledge Exchange 2023 - 2027
From: Western Bulldogs
For period: 2022-2027
Not disclosed
Data Collection for Cricket Tasmania (match and ball tracking data for required matches)
From: Cricket Tasmania
For period: 2022-2023
Not disclosed
ITF Research Partnership
From: The International Tennis Federation, UK
For period: 2022-2023
Not disclosed
VU – San Antonio Spurs Knowledge Exchange
From: Spurs Sports & Entertainment, LLC
Other investigators: Dr Bartholomew Spencer
For period: 2022-2024
Not disclosed
FIFA VOL Testing Sevilla March 2022
From: FIFA
Other investigators: Dr Jade Haycraft, Prof Robert Aughey, Dr Kevin Ball
For period: 2022-2022
Not disclosed
FIFA Test Centre Appointment – Cadiz 2022
From: Fitogether Inc, StatSports Group Limited, PlayerData, Humanox, FIFA
Other investigators: Prof Robert Aughey
For period: 2022-2022
Not disclosed
AS1: Game Insight Group (GIG)  2022-2024 continuation
From: Tennis Australia
For period: 2022-2024
Not disclosed

Validation of Kangatech KT360
From: Kangatech Pty Ltd
Other investigators: Prof Robert Aughey, Aspr Fabio Serpiello, Dr Kevin Ball
For period: 2021-2021
Not disclosed
Phase 2 of "normal" player behavior project
From: FIFA
Other investigators: Prof Robert Aughey, Dr Kevin Ball
For period: 2021-2021
Not disclosed
Promoting Healthy and Active Living: Sons and Daughters of the West 2.0
From: Victorian Higher Education Strategic Investment Fund
Other investigators: Aspr Camilla Brockett
For period: 2021-2022
$500,000

Ball Tracking and EPTS Basic Standard Development
From: FIFA
Other investigators: Dr Kevin Ball, Prof Robert Aughey
For period: 2020-2021
Not disclosed
Smartabase for Everyday Sports People
From: Fusion Sport - Innovation Connections, Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, Victoria University
Other investigators: Dr Jarred Pilgrim
For period: 2020-2021
Not disclosed

User Insights into Human Physical Performance
From: CHAMPION DATA PTY LTD
Other investigators: Prof Robert Aughey
For period: 2019-2020
Not disclosed
Review of ITF Wheelchair Tour and Ranking System (GIG C)
From: The International Tennis Federation, UK
Other investigators: Dr Neil Collier
For period: 2019-2020
Not disclosed
VU-Spurs Sport Science Analytics
From: Spurs Sports & Entertainment, LLC
For period: 2019-2020
Not disclosed
Development of a health and fitness monitoring system for racquet sports
From: Fusion Sport - Innovation Connections, Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Other investigators: Dr Alice Sweeting
For period: 2019-2020
Not disclosed
An Evaluation Framework for Referees in Professional Football
From: Professional Referee Organisation
Other investigators: Dr Damian Farrow
For period: 2019-2022
Not disclosed

FIFA EPTS Phase 2: Data Collection and Vision Kit Analysis
From: FIFA, Catapult Sports Pty Ltd, Track160 Ltd, Hawk-Eye Innovations, Second Spectrum Inc, Instat Limited, Fitogether Inc, Footovision, Acronis International GMBH SWITZERLAND, Sportlogiq Inc Canada
Other investigators: Prof Robert Aughey, Dr Kevin Ball, Aspr Fabio Serpiello
For period: 2018-2019
Not disclosed
FIFA EPTS Phase 2: VICON Analysis
From: FIFA
Other investigators: Prof Robert Aughey, Dr Kevin Ball
For period: 2018-2019
Not disclosed
PhD Western Bulldogs Top-Up Scholarship - Classification of strength and power based movements in an indoor training facility using wearable technologies - Karl Trounson s4598123
From: Western Bulldogs
Other investigators: Dr Damian Farrow
For period: 2018-2021
Not disclosed
PhD Western Bulldogs Top-Up Scholarship - Altering expectations as reference points in high-performance sport - Elissa Denton s4598635
From: Western Bulldogs
Other investigators: Dr Damian Farrow
For period: 2018-2021
Not disclosed
PhD Western Bulldogs Top-Up Scholarship -The application of wearable technology for analysis of Women's Australian Football kicking during training and competition - Emily Cust s4547419
From: Western Bulldogs
Other investigators: Dr Damian Farrow
For period: 2018-2020
Not disclosed

VU-TA Game Insight Group (GIG) - Activity Schedule 10 Establishment
From: Tennis Australia, ISEAL
Other investigators: Dr Damian Farrow
For period: 2017-2021
$3,289,959

Maribyrnong Sports Academy - Sport Scientist
From: Maribyrnong College - Maribyrnong Sports Academy, Victoria University
Other investigators: Dr Paul Larkin, Prof Michael Mckenna, Dr Damian Farrow, Dr Jason Berry, Dr Carl Woods
For period: 2015-2023
$625,000

Supervision of research students at VU

Available to supervise research students

Available for media queries

Currently supervised research students at VU

No. of students Study level Role
1 PhD Integrated Principal supervisor
1 PhD Integrated Associate supervisor
4 PhD Principal supervisor
3 PhD Associate supervisor
1 Master of Research Practice Associate supervisor
1 Master of Applied Research Principal supervisor

Currently supervised research students at VU

Students & level Role
PhD Integrated (1) Principal supervisor
PhD Integrated (1) Associate supervisor
PhD (4) Principal supervisor
PhD (3) Associate supervisor
Master of Research Practice (1) Associate supervisor
Master of Applied Research (1) Principal supervisor

Completed supervision of research students at VU

No. of students Study level Role
4 PhD by Publication Principal supervisor
8 PhD Principal supervisor
1 PhD Associate supervisor
2 Masters by Research Principal supervisor

Completed supervision of research students at VU

Students & level Role
PhD by Publication (4) Principal supervisor
PhD (8) Principal supervisor
PhD (1) Associate supervisor
Masters by Research (2) Principal supervisor

Careers

Details of this Researcher's career are currently unavailable.