Elite Athlete Program

UNE is a member of the Australian Institute of Sport's Elite Sport Education Network (ESEN), formerly known as the Elite Athlete University Network (EAUN).  This program supports Australia's elite athletes, high-performance coaches, and professionals within the high-performance system, enabling them to excel both in their sport and academic pursuits.

UNE recognsises elite athletes and coaches may need extra support to sustain their excellence, and our Elite Athlete and Performer Program is designed to help them successfully balance their commitments, enabling them to reach their goals.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.

UNE recognises the unique challenges faced by elite athletes and values their dedication to both academic and athletic excellence. The UNE Elite Athlete Scholarship offers financial support for one year to high-performing student athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds who are pursuing studies at UNE.

For more information, please visit
Scholarships, Prizes and Awards

Benefits of 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
Eligibility

Elite Athlete: an Elite Athlete is defined as someone who has been identified as elite by one of the following organisations:

  • Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) State and Territory institutes or academies of sport (e.g. NSWIS)
  • AFL Players’ Association
  • Australian Cricketers’ Association
  • Rugby Union Players’ Association
  • Rugby League Professionals’ Association
  • Australian Professional Footballers Association
  • Australian Basketballers Association
  • National senior squad members from Sport Australia funded sports
  • If an athlete falls outside of these organisations they may submit an application for consideration by the University.

When registering you will 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.
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:

Georgia Eades
Phone: 02 6773 2897

Alternatively, you can send an email to accessinclusion@une.edu.au with the subject line: EAP - Attention Georgia.

How does it work?
  • You must self-identify and apply at the start of your first trimester or the first trimester you qualify as an Elite Athlete.
  • We will create a Study Access Plan (SAP) outlining your sporting commitments and any study adjustments you may be eligible for.
  • Your SAP is valid for the period you maintain elite athlete status, ranging from one trimester to a full academic year (three trimesters)
  • To request study adjustments (e.g., assessment extensions), share your SAP with unit coordinators and relevant staff.
  • For Special Extensions of Time, Deferred Exams, or Special Consideration, submit requests through AskUNE, attaching your SAP as supporting evidence instead of extra documentation.
  • Your EAP Coordinator and the SAWO team can support you with course planning, study deferrals, and other adjustments like placements.

UNE Sports Academy

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.

In the foreground, a student athlete stands with their arms crossed in front of a green bicycle, with a UNE residential college visible in the background

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)