Elite athletes choose USQ

Athletes at the USQ are receiving the support that they need to prepare for life after sport through the University's Elite Athlete Program.

Currently there are 65 registered elite athletes studying at USQ, with the program helping students balance their study with sport.

'For example a cricket player phoned and said that he had been named in the New South Wales cricket team and he had two assignments due and knew he wouldn't get them in on time with his training commitments, so I helped organise an extension for him on one of those assignments,' Support Coordinator of the University's Elite Athlete program Sharon Brabon said.

'We have an Australian squash player, Anthony Ricketts, who is ranked 5th in the world who needed assistance with putting together a submission to his lecturer for an extension and exam deferral. Anthony was on tour in the UK, Europe and Saudi Arabia and his training and competition schedule made it difficult for him to meet his academic commitments.'

Since taking on the role, Sharon has also contacted all of the University's Elite Athletes to inform them about the program and its benefits.

'I have also been to meetings with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) and I have been working on an Elite Athlete website which will go live very soon.

'We are also developing a mentoring program, where experienced student athletes and graduates mentor other students currently enrolled in the University's Elite Athlete program.'

Former Brisbane and London Bronco and USQ Lecturer in Health & Physical Education, Anthony Seibold was one of the first people to offer their support for the mentoring program.

Anthony said it is difficult to juggle sport and study and he looks forward to mentoring other athletes in this position.

'When I completed my first degree I was playing for the Brisbane Broncos and I had no support system and I really struggled, ending up with a GPA just under 4.

'But when I completed my Masters through USQ I ended up with a GPA of 6.13 which shows that if you have some sort of support system you can do really well.'

For Anthony that support came from Lee Wharton from the Faculty of Education.

'It was great to have someone to chat to and send an email to and basically mentor you and help you along the way.'