Elite Athletes

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

Introduction

QUT has been recognised as an "Elite Athlete Friendly" University, by both the Australian Institute of Sport and the Australian Sports Commission. This recognition has been gained through QUT’s Elite Athlete Program offered to students who wish to pursue both academic and sporting futures. By providing a flexible and responsive approach to study, and financial and personal support, QUT believes elite athletes can achieve in both academic and sporting endeavors.

The Elite Athlete Program is managed in conjunction with Student Guild Sport and QUT Careers and Employment. Over 180 elite athletes, represented across more than 45 different sports, are currently enrolled at QUT and registered with the program.

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 networking events.

QUT has educated players in sports teams such as the Reds, Lions, Firebirds, Bulls and Broncos just to name a few, and has supported athletes competing at many international competitions.

Eligibility

Who qualifies as an Elite-Student Athlete?
Any QUT student that meets one or more of the points below -

• 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

NOTE: Club Sports that require students to train a couple of times a week plus give up part of their weekend to compete does not qualify them as an Elite-Student Athlete.

Registering

Students can register as an elite athlete through one of three areas. Each area of registration links back to one central database. 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

Registering for the Elite Athlete Program can help students gain an OP Benefit. If you are a secondary school student that has excelled in your sport, you can be granted an exception of up to 3 OP scores when applying to QUT.

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.  If you are seeking an OP benefit, this is the preferred area for your registration.

• Careers and Employment

Col McCowan and Alison Thomson look after elite athlete academic and course related concerns. If you feel support with 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 which point of Criteria you meet (see criteria list above).

• Student Guild Sport

Chris Rawlings is the Sports Officer for the Guild and assists elite athletes in representing QUT at University Games, and looks after the Guild and Development Sport Scholarships. If you would like assistance in these areas, complete the online elite athlete registration form through Student Guild Sport, www.guildonline.net, select QUT Sport (bottom left hand corner).

Scholarships

Please view the 2008 Sports Scholarships Handbook for all information regarding Scholarships available to current elite-student athletes.

Schedule of Events

Elite Athlete Contacts

Resources

• 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.
  
  
• 2008 Guide
  This guide contains information on how to go about sporting and academic clashes, and who to contact in certain situations. This is our first attempt at putting together a booklet for Elite Athletes, and any feedback would be appreciated. Please email eliteathletes@qut.edu.au with your feedback and/or suggestions.
  
  
• 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.