Panthers learn new tricks in 2009

Panthers captain Petero Civoniceva may be the mentor for a young Penrith side, but he intends to be the club’s star student in 2009.<br><br>The inspirational prop is the first to take advantage of the Panthers’ new major partnership with Australian College of Physical Education (ACPE), announced today. The partnership will allow for co-major sponsorship of the Panthers’ Toyota Cup team for the 2009 and 2010 seasons.<br><br>Civoniceva is set to undertake a Bachelor of Sports Business at ACPE, a course that will supply him with the skills and knowledge to continue a career in sport once he retires from football.<br><br>“The courses on offer from ACPE really suit me coming from a sporting background,” Civoniceva said.<br><br>“Motivation for me doing the course is wanting to set myself up with a successful career once I hang the boots up.<br><br>“While that isn’t on my mind for some time yet, the partnership between Panthers and ACPE presents itself as a great opportunity and at an ideal time in my career.”<br><br>ACPE is a specialist, independent tertiary institution founded in 1917 that caters for graduates who are pursuing a variety of careers in sport and education. <br><br>Marketing &amp; Business Development Manager Stuart Ayres said, “ACPE is excited about the opportunity to partner with the Penrith Panthers in 2009, in particular the National Youth Cup team and the Panthers on the Prowl program.”<br><br>“Both the NYC and Panthers on the Prowl provide great vehicles for communicating one of our core beliefs that you can combine sport and education to build a successful career.<br>&nbsp;<br>“ACPE has seen significant growth in students from Western Sydney choosing to study a degree at the college. This partnership with Panthers provides ACPE with a fantastic platform to continue our work in promoting quality education options to the people of Western Sydney.”<br>