Soccer star returns to thank staff

International soccer star and USQ alumnus Lana Harch has returned to the University to donate a signed Matilda's (Australian national women's side) jersey to the education faculty.

Lana, who graduated earlier this year, said that the jersey was donated to the faculty as a sign of thanks to staff who had helped her during her time at USQ.

'All of the staff in education helped me a lot and I wouldn't have been able to graduate without their support,' Lana said.

Currently in the midst of a decorated soccer career, including representing the Matilda's, Lana is working as a teacher whilst also completing a hectic training schedule.

Balancing her sporting and professional life however is nothing new for the talented midfielder, after constant travel and training throughout her four and a half year degree.

'For the whole time I was at uni I was living between here (Toowoomba) and Brisbane because I was training Monday to Saturday at the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS),' Lana said.

'I tried to squash uni into that.

'I decided to stay at USQ despite travelling to Brisbane constantly because I wouldn't have got the same support at a Brisbane university.'

While the study and training ensured that Lana was kept busy all year round, she said that USQ's Elite Athlete Program had helped her graduate much quicker than other athletes at different universities.

'The Elite Athlete Program allows flexibility for athletes and that's exactly what it gave me,' she said.

'It gave me the opportunity to go away but still have lecturers understand and also be supportive.

'This allowed me to do my degree in the normal time, not like some athletes at other universities, who can take between seven and nine years to complete their degrees.'

Although she is only working as a supply teacher at present due to training commitments, Lana is planning on finding a full time teaching job at the end of next year but before that is hopeful of making the Matilda's side for the Asian Cup in 2008.

Media Contact: Josh Ada, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 1628