Elite Athlete Program launch at USQ

Coordinator of USQ's Elite Athlete Program Sharon Brabon

A program to support elite athletes during their time at University will be launched at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) on Friday, 23 May 2008.

USQ's Elite Athlete Program is designed to help students cope with their sporting commitments and study workloads.

Coordinator of the program Sharon Brabon said 86 students are currently registered as elite athletes at USQ, including Taekwondo Olympian Tina Morgan and V8 Supercar driver Damien Assaillit.

'We have students represented in over 30 sports from AFL to wheelchair rugby, snowboarding to dance" Mrs Brabon said.

'We also have performance artists and coaches in the scope of the program.'

Students who register with the program receive assistance in organising assessments, timetables, enrolment and examinations.

"For an athlete to be recognised by the program they are identified by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), state or territory institute or academy of sport or a relevant national association.

'USQ will consider all sports and sporting commitments though,' she said.

The program has already had some significant successes since Mrs Brabon came on board in 2006.

'A report I prepared on the program last year indicated a 30 per cent increase in registration of elite athletes over the past 18 months,' Mrs Brabon said.

'I've had a lot of good feedback from the students in terms of the benefits for them and its something they have used effectively.'

Mrs Brabon said she hopes to continue growing and developing the support mechanisms for Elite Athletes at USQ.

'I am also looking at establishing at least one external scholarship. We have one internal scholarship already.

'I also want to increase the number of athletes by increasing the visibility of the program and establishing new links between sporting bodies and ourselves.'

The launch of USQ's Elite Athlete Program will take place at 3:00 pm on Friday, 23 May 2008 in R226.

Media are welcome to attend.

Media Contact: Jane Urquhart USQ Media +61 7 4631 2559