USQ student to represent Australia

First year University of Southern Queensland (USQ) education student Eugene Seddon will soon juggle text books and assignments with his budding sports career.

The local football player was recently selected to play for Australia in the University Student Rugby League World Cup to be held in Brisbane during June.

The aspiring primary school teacher has played local representative football for Toowoomba and the south-west Queensland region, and says that he is looking forward to representing Australia and USQ.

“Being selected to play in this student world cup representing Australia is a huge honour. To be involved in a world cup with seven other nations from around the world will be a great experience.”

After years of working for a butcher, Eugene decided to fulfil his ambition to be teacher and enrolled in USQ’s Tertiary Preparation Program (TPP). Having successfully completed TPP Eugene commenced his degree earlier this year.

'University is going well. The study is going well and my marks have been good so far so personally I’m fairly happy.

'The thing I like the most about USQ is the elite athletes program that's in place here, headed by Sharon Brabon. It's a program that identifies and understands students with sporting commitments in and away from uni and staff do all they can so that our sporting commitments doesn’t hinder our learning here at USQ.

'Without this program I reckon I’d find playing league with my studies fairly difficult.'

In 2005 Eugene played in the Queensland Cup with the Broncos feeder Club the Toowoomba Clydesdales.

He has also played for the Queensland Rangers, and in 2006 Eugene played against the New Zealand Residents National Team in New Zealand.

The first University Student Rugby League World Cup was held in New Zealand in 1986.

Eight nations are expected to participate in this years games including, Wales, Scotland, France, England, Ireland and New Zealand.

Media Contact: Connie-Louise Rego, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2977