Women lead the way in 57 University of Queensland Sporting Scholarships awarded to 55 student-athletes, including Olympic, Paralympic and Australian representatives.
Among the beneficiaries are Paralympic swimmer Lakeisha Patterson, Olympic sailor Jake Lilley, Hockeyroo Rebecca Greiner, Australian Water Polo goalkeeper Gabi Palm and Australian cyclist Alexandra Martin-Wallace.
A total of 27 sports are represented, including Archery, Judo, Karate, and Softball.
Four members of the Queensland Firebirds’ 10-player squad – Laura Clemesha, Tara Hinchliffe, Kimberley Jenner, and captain Gabi Simpson – were awarded Scholarships.
Queensland Reds’ backrower Angus Scott-Young, Brisbane Lions’ players Tom Cutler and Natalie Grider, and Brisbane Broncos’ forward Patrick Carrigan are also among the recipients.
Health and Behavioural Sciences was the most represented UQ Faculty with a total of 24 students.
UQ Sport Chief Executive Officer Bryan Pryde said the UQ Sporting Scholarship program allows student-athletes to balance studies with the demands of elite-level sport.
“Our Scholarship holders benefit from access to UQ Sport’s first-rate fitness facilities, as well as athlete workshops, academic liaison and tutoring delivered through the UQ Sport Academy,” Mr Pryde said.
“Thanks to the generosity of our donors, more than $245,000 in funding had been allocated amongst our 2019 Scholarship recipients.
“We look forward to working with these top-level sportsmen and women on their exciting journey ahead.”
Paralympic and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Lakeisha Patterson and Australian rhythmic gymnast Heather Blakeway were each awarded the UQ Sports Achievement Scholarship and Clem Jones Sporting Scholarship.
Female students (34) accounted for more than half of the recipients.
Chair of the Clem Jones Sporting Scholarship Committee and Head of the UQ School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences Professor Andrew Cresswell said it was pleasing to see so many females represented.
“Our female athletes claimed 60 per cent of the Scholarship pool which says a great deal for the significant impact that women are having in sport, particularly when they are judged equally on merit,” Professor Cresswell said.
“I think this result mirrors the impact and success we have seen in Australia and globally in women’s sport, in particular AFLW, NRLW, Australian Women’s National Rugby Union, and Australian Women’s Cricket.”
UQ Sports Achievement Scholarship Committee Chair Professor Phil Bodman said elite student-athletes were ideal representatives for the University.
“These top-level sportsmen and women juggle study and other significant commitments, so they are great role models for all students,” Professor Bodman said.
“This year’s group joins a long, prestigious list of UQ elite student-athletes who are either still studying with us, or who we are proud to call our alumni.”
