A collaborative partnership has been formed to deliver an economic impact study on the Ridley Polocrosse World Cup.

The partnership includes Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE's (SQIT) Warwick Campus; The Warwick Shire Council, Cozzi Marketing & PR and Dr Diana Beal (retired), formerly Associate Dean (Research), Faculty of Business, University of Southern Queensland.

Visitors to the week-long competition will be surveyed, with the economic benefit to the region likely to exceed the $1.4m generated by the 2003 Polocrosse World Cup.

World Cup treasurer Mrs Robyn Fraser said, "We appreciate the contribution of skill and resources that each of these research partners will make, enabling this study to be undertaken. The survey will cover a range of questions including how visitors heard about the World Cup; how long they will stay in the Shire; their satisfaction with the facilities and where they spent their money. This and other information will provide valuable information for Polocrosse, for the Shire Council and Queensland Events Corporation."

The research project has been broken down into the following components, with SQIT a newcomer to the partnership for 2007. Key phases are:

• Questionnaire design/training of data collectors - Cozzi Marketing & PR
• Data collection - SQIT, Warwick TAFE students in business studies
• Data input - Warwick Shire Council
• Data analysis and report - Dr Diana J. Beal, retired. Formerly Associate Dean (Research), Faculty of Business, University of Southern Queensland.

Commenting on the role of Warwick TAFE students as the data collectors, Business Studies teacher Lesley Harrower said the students undertaking the project were studying Certificate III and IV in Business Administration. "They have been learning research skills as part of their training and have acquired the necessary competencies to assist with data collection during the event. This is a fantastic opportunity for students and it is exciting for them to be part of such a major sporting event, but gain real-life experience in the competencies that they are studying," she said.

Prior to the survey being undertaken, students will receive specific training from Michele Cozzi to ensure that they are familiar with the survey form and possible responses. She confirmed the training will occur on 27th March at the Warwick Campus and she took the opportunity to thank Warwick TAFE co-ordinator Mrs Lesley Harrower for her enthusiasm for the project and in recruiting the data collectors.

The visitor survey will be undertaken on-site at Morgan Park in the week of 23-29 April. Data collectors will be visible in their TAFE caps and shirts.

The final report from Dr Beal will be handed to the World Cup organising committee prior to 30th June 2007, with the highlights published for the media.

For more on the study see www.polocrosse.com.au/worldcup/news_research.htm.

The week-long competition will see Australia defend its world cup title against old rivals New Zealand, plus challengers from Canada, Ireland, South Africa, the UK, USA and Zimbabwe. The World Cup final will be played on Sunday 29 April 2007 in what is expected to be a capacity crowd. For more see www.polocrosse.com.au/worldcup.