Elite Athlete Program

UNE is part of the Elite Athlete Education Network, which supports Australia's elite athletes to achieve academic excellence whilst also pursuing a sporting career. The University supports students who are formally recognised athletes, performers, coaches and administrators, who are engaged in training and competition at a national or international level.  The Elite Athlete Program provides strategies that ensure that our elite athlete students are able to fit their study around their sporting commitments by providing flexibility and study options for them.

You could join us for the 2024 UniSport Nationals on 7 to 13 September in Canberra (Ngunnawal Country)!

What is the Elite Athlete Program (EAP)?
  • Subsidised Access to UniSport Competitions and Events
  • Free access and use of all health and fitness facilities at SportUNE, when elite athletes are in Armidale for intensive schools or other commitments.
  • Access to sports science and strength and conditioning advice with the UNE Sports Academy.
  • Access to dedicated sports psychology support – individual and group support balancing dual commitments of sport and study, maximising performance and increasing wellbeing.
  • Personalised study support programs, including assistance with application for academic flexibility. This may include:
    • individualised study sequences
    • where appropriate, variation of attendance requirements at lectures, tutorial or practicals;
    • special consideration in the form of extensions or variation of assessment due dates;
    • deferral and/or variation of final supervised exams;
    • leave of absence where required due to increased sporting commitments (eg Olympic Games year);
    • completion of some studies as a cross-institutional Student at an approved university; and
    • extension of the maximum period of candidature required to complete their course due to reduced study loads
Am I eligible?

The Elite Athlete Program (EAP) is accessible to all current categorised athletes and coaches, Alumni athletes and emerging and developing athletes who are on level 1-5 on the Athlete Categorisation table for an AIS funded sport. In practice these are elite athletes engaged in training or competition at a national or international level.

For athletes and coaches to be eligible, you must be identified and recognised, or be a member of one of the following organisations as an 'elite athlete' or 'elite coach.'

When registering you need to provide:

  • confirmation by your Athlete Career Education (ACE) Advisor that you are employed by the relevant national sporting body and supported as a student;
  • your current training schedule; and
  • your competition schedule.

If you are studying on campus in Armidale, you may be eligible to join the UNE Sports Academy. The Sports Academy was established in 2018 as a high-performance pathway for competitive athletes choosing to complete their studies at UNE and is proudly powered by SportUNE.  UNE Sports Academy

Your Elite Athlete Program (EAP) Coordinator

The University provides a single point of contact for applicants and students who will liaise with various University Representatives to provide:

  • advice and guidance on academic planning;
  • support in negotiating flexibility to meet academic requirements; and
  • support in negotiating and/or implementing cross-institutional study or advanced standing arrangements.

The Elite Athlete Program Coordinator at UNE is:

Mirela Suciu
Phone: 02 6773 2897

Email: mirela.suciu@une.edu.au

How does it work?
  • You must self-identify and apply at the beginning of their first trimester at the University or the first trimester in which you meet the criteria for recognition as an Elite Athlete.
  • We will develop a Study Access Plan (SAP) with you that outlines your sporting commitments and study adjustments that you may be eligible for.
  • Your SAP is only valid for the time period that you have demonstrated your elite athlete status for. This may be one trimester and up to one academic year (three trimesters).
  • You will need to forward your SAP to your unit coordinators and relevant administrative areas to request reasonable adjustments, such as extensions of time for assessments.
  • Your unit coordinators need to approve and implement all in-class adjustments as well as requests for extensions of time for assignments.
  • You will need to use the formal channels in AskUNE to request Special Extensions of Time, Deferred Exams and Special Consideration; however you can attach your SAP as supporting evidence, instead of additional documentation.
  • Your EAP Coordinator and the SAWO team can assist you with course plans, deferrals of study and other adjustments to your studies, such as placements.

To determine your eligibility you need to provide:

  • confirmation by the student’s Athlete Career Education (ACE) Advisor that the student is employed by the relevant national sporting body and supported as a student;
  • the student’s current training schedule (as available); and
  • the student’s competition schedule (as available).
Policy and Procedures

The University provides a single point of contact for applicants and students who will liaise with various University Representatives to provide:

  • advice and guidance on academic planning;
  • support in negotiating flexibility to meet academic requirements; and
  • support in negotiating and/or implementing cross-institutional study or advanced standing arrangements.

The following links may be useful:

Here is what some past Elite Athletes have to say about the UNE Elite Athlete Program...

"For the last few years I have been studying at UNE, whilst pursuing a career in cycling. UNE has allowed me to adapt my study load to match my racing schedule, this has reduced the time pressures involved with balancing studying and racing significantly! My lecturers have been flexible and understanding with my study, which is particularly useful when I am racing overseas as internet access is usually very limited. I would strongly recommend UNE for athlete's wanting to balance study, training and racing." Holly Harris (Cyclist)

Holly Harris (Cyclist)

"UNE made it so easy to balance sporting and study commitments during my time in my undergraduate degree. I enjoyed it so much I'm back for my masters and this can all be done while playing professional sport overseas in a completely different time zone. I found through occupying my mind with study my performances improved on the field as well as allowing myself to grow off the field. I would recommend study at UNE to any athlete." Joey Gibbs (Professional Footballer)

Joey Gibbs (Professional Footballer)

"The support I received from UNE made it possible for me to complete my postgraduate study, whilst competing for Australia at the highest level. Both the academic and Sport UNE staff were incredibly supportive and understanding, which allowed me to train and compete at the Olympic Games, whilst setting myself up for a career after sport." Sarah Cook (Olympic Rower)

Sarah Cook (Olympic Rower)

"The University of New England has been most supportive of my endeavours in undertaking tertiary studies. UNE has provided flexible study and assessment options which have enabled me to complete my degree in Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science (Clinical Exercise Physiology) while at the same time fulfilling my commitments as a member of The Australian Women’s Cricket Team and as an employee of South Sydney Sports Medicine. Flexibility has allowed me to submit assignments and complete assessments and examinations from overseas locations at times when I have been unable to be on campus. For on campus students, UNE's sporting and fitness centre is state of the art and provides excellent training and assessment facilities. I have thoroughly enjoyed my study through UNE and am very grateful for the understanding and support offered me by the staff. I strongly recommend the University of New England as an institution supporting elite athletes in their academic endeavours." Erin Osborne (Australian Cricketer)

Erin Osborne (Australian Cricketer)