Elite Athletes

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• Eligibility
• Registering
• Scholarships
• Schedule of Events
• Support
• Contacts
• Support Staff
• Resources

Introduction

In 2004 QUT signed on with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) as an "Elite Athlete Friendly" University to help lead the way nationally in supporting elite athletes. The development of Elite Athlete Program at QUT came as a result which is jointly managed by QUT Careers and Employment and QUT Student Guild Sport. The Elite Athlete Program recognises the demand on elite athletes through training and competition, and endeavours to provide student athletes with the same opportunity to excel in their studies as normal students. Over 250 elite athletes, represented across more than 45 different sports, are currently enrolled at QUT and registered with the program.

We believe elite athletes can pursue both academic and sporting endeavours at QUT. Registering with the Elite Athlete Program helps the university identify elite athlete students and provide them with a flexible and responsive approach to admissions, enrolment and assessment; financial support; academic support; OP upgrading; sports psychology; support staff; career counselling;  career mentors; scholarships and networking opportunities; and special consideration where possible. Many professional athletes choose to study at QUT due to the support that is available.

Once part of the Elite Athlete Program students are managed by the university through the Elite Athlete Database. Support staff in each faculty can be contacted to aid elite athletes when concerns arise. A listing of support staff is given to elite athletes at the annual program launch and is available on this website.

Eligibility

To qualify for the QUT Elite Athlete Program, one or more of criteria below must be met -

• An athlete recognised by the AIS, QAS or Professional Player’s Association
• A member of a national senior squad from an ACE support sport
• An athlete in a state, national or international level squad in open or age level competition
• An athlete in a state, national or international level development squad
• A coach or referee within state, national or international level competitions

Registering

Eligible students can register as an elite athlete through the A, B or C method. Depending on your situation a certain registration process may be more suitable by making yourself known to different areas of support.

• QUT Admissions – Special Entry Program

If you are a secondary school student, or student applying to QUT for the first time, and have excelled in your sport, you can be granted an exception of up to 3 OP scores when applying to QUT. This is known as the elite athlete OP benefit scheme. For example, a student who receives an OP score of 8 and wants to study a course that requires an OP of 5 may still be eligible to study at QUT.

The Elite Athlete Program is listed as a special entry program on the Student Services website, www.studentservices.qut.edu.au, select Applying, then Special Entry Programs.  All applicants will be notified of their outcome before the first offer rounds are announced in late December and mid January.

• Careers and Employment

The Elite Athlete Inbox looks after all elite athlete concerns and Alison Thomson looks after elite athlete academic and course related concerns. If you feel support with general and/or academic concerns is an area you may utilise the most, register as an elite athlete by emailing eliteathletes@qut.edu.au.

In your email you should include your Full Name, Student Number, Contact Details, Sport, and attach your sport resume. If you correctly fit the eligibility criteria you will receive an email response back to confirm your registration which will include any current support materials.

• Student Guild Sport

The QUT Student Guild Sports Officer assists elite athletes in representing QUT and manages the Sports Scholarship Program. If you would like assistance in these areas, contact them through Student Guild Sport, www.guildonline.net, located in the Campus Life menu. The Guild Sports Officer will forward your registration details to Elite Athlete Inbox. Once there, a confirmation email will be sent to confirm your registration if successful in meeting the criteria.

If you have any questions about any of the registration processes please email eliteathletes@qut.edu.au.

Scholarships

Please view the 2009 Sports Scholarships Handbook for all information regarding Scholarships available to current elite-student athletes.

Schedule of Events

Elite Athlete Support

The Elite Athlete Guide for 2009 is now available and will be sent to athletes via student emails in April.This guide contains information on how to go about sporting and academic clashes, and who to contact in certain situations.

Elite Athlete Contacts

Support Staff

Elite student athletes are provided with a list of support staff involved in the program. Athletes are able to look up specific support contacts in their faculty for help. This listing will be handed out at the Elite Athlete Program Launch, and posted on this site after that date.

Resources

The 2009 Guide, Staff Listing and Elite Athlete Listing will be available by Week 1, Semester 1.

• Support Staff Listing
  Elite-student athletes are provided with a list of support staff involved in the program. Athletes are able to look up specific support contacts in their faculty for help. Please refer to the 2008 Guide on how to use these contacts most effectively.
  
  
• 2009 Guide
  This guide contains information on how to go about sporting and academic clashes, and who to contact in certain situations.
  
  
• Elite Athlete Listing
  This is a listing of all the currently registered elite athletes in the program. Elite Athletes can use this list to find other elite athletes in their course, faculty or sport.