¹ú²ú̽»¨

Back row, left to right: Dane Bird-Smith (athletics – race walking), Clara Smith (athletics – race walking), Brenden Hall (swimming). Front row, left to right: Gabrielle Simpson (netball), Kobie Donovan (athletics – shot put/javelin)
Back row, left to right: Dane Bird-Smith (athletics – race walking), Clara Smith (athletics – race walking), Brenden Hall (swimming). Front row, left to right: Gabrielle Simpson (netball), Kobie Donovan (athletics – shot put/javelin)
17 March 2016

Rio Olympic hopefuls are among a group of more than 40 University of Queensland students who have received .

Beneficiaries include Paralympic gold medallist , and Australian and state-level athletes representing 18 sports.

chief executive officer Bryan Pryde said the ¹ú²ú̽»¨ Sporting Scholarship program provided financial assistance and academic support to help student-athletes balance studies with the demands of elite-level sport.

“As well as dedicated support through the ¹ú²ú̽»¨ Sport Academy and free access to all our , recipients benefit from academic liaison and support, tutoring and athlete workshops,” he said.

“These outstanding individuals, made up of current champions and tomorrow’s stars, were chosen from a field of hundreds of top-level sportsmen and women.

“We look forward to working with these students on their exciting journey ahead.”

Rio-bound Olympic race walker said his had been vital in preparing for his maiden Olympics.

“¹ú²ú̽»¨ Sporting Scholarships are more than a financial leg-up – they provide invaluable support when balancing sport and study becomes challenging,” he said.

“Leading into my first Olympic Games, I feel confident I can keep my degree on-track without performances being impacted on the road to Rio.”

Chair of ¹ú²ú̽»¨’s Sports Achievement Scholarship Committee said elite student-athletes were ideal representatives for the University.

“Elite student-athletes juggle study and other significant commitments on their time and resources, so they are great role models for all students,” he said.

“This year’s group joins a long, prestigious list of ¹ú²ú̽»¨ elite student-athletes, who are either still studying with us, or who we are proud to call our alumni.”

Ten athletes, including rhythmic gymnast and Olympic-hopeful were awarded , funded by an annual donation from The Clem Jones Foundation.

Chair of the Clem Jones Sporting Scholarship Committee said it was pleasing that a large number of athletes were represented.

“The late Clem Jones AO had a particular interest in tennis and cricket, and I know he would be pleased to see the outstanding performances of this year’s winners across a broad range of sports,” he said.

“On behalf the committee, I wish all the scholarship winners the very best with their sporting and academic endeavours.”

Media: Jamie Mitchell, ¹ú²ú̽»¨ Sport, JamieM@uqsport.com.au, 0423 785 752.

2016 ¹ú²ú̽»¨ Sports Achievement Scholarship recipients (value is from $3000 to $9000 for one year):

Nate Dennis (AFL) – B. Engineering (Hons)/B. Biotechnology

Jonathan Macanawai (AFL) – B. Health, Sport & Physical Education

Nikola Bojic (Athletics - High Jump) – B. Health, Sport & Physical Education

Brandon Herrigan (Athletics – Hurdles) – B. Regional & Town Planning

Kirra Womersley (Athletics – Hurdles & 100m/200m) – B. Health, Sport & Physical Education

Clara Smith (Athletics – Race Walking) – B. Engineering (Honours)

Dane Bird-Smith (Athletics – Race Walking) – B. Health, Sport & Physical Education

Kobie Donovan (Athletics – Shot Put/ Javelin) – B. Health, Sport & Physical Education (Honours)

Maddison Keeney (Diving) – B. Science

Isabella Wilkinson-McIntyre (Equestrian) – B. Economics/ B. Commerce

Jamie Young (Football) – B. Health Sciences

Oliver Crane (Hockey) – B. Business Management

Hannah Astbury (Hockey) – B. Arts

Megan Williams (Mountain Biking) – B. Commerce

Tara Hinchliffe (Netball) – B. Psychological Science (Honours)

Maddison Hinchliffe (Netball) – B. Exercise and Nutrition Sciences

Annabella Sorby (Netball) – B. Science

Gabrielle Simpson (Netball) – B. Physiotherapy (Honours)

Laura Clemesha (Netball) – B. Psychological Science

Kimberley Jenner (Netball) – B. Health, Sport & Physical Education

Caitlin Cronin (Rowing) – B. Engineering (Chemical)

Blaine Heseltine (Rowing) – B. Engineering (Electrical)

Jordan Lenac (Rugby Union) – B. International Hotel & Tourism Management

Samuel Wallis (Rugby Union) – B. Arts

Harry Hockings (Rugby Union) – B. Commerce

Jacob Williams (Rugby Union) – B. Business Management /B. Arts

James MacMillan (Rugby Union) – B. Business Management

Angus Galloway (Sailing) – B. Business Management

Brenden Hall (Swimming) – B. Exercise & Sport Sciences

Gabriella Palm (Water Polo) – B. Arts

Kieran Mulcahy (Water Polo) – B. International Studies

Lara O'Brien (Windsurfing) – B. Health, Sport & Physical Education

2016 Clem Jones Sporting Scholarship recipients (value is $18,000 over three years - $6000 a year):

Breanna Koenen (AFL) – B. Physiotherapy

Mia Cunningham (Athletics – Javelin) – B. Exercise & Nutrition Sciences

Shauna Herbst (Athletics - Long/Triple Jump) – B. Biomedical Science

Joshua Wigginton (Cricket) – B. Physiotherapy (Honours)

Daniel Cranitch (Cricket) – B. Business Management/B. Arts

Bronte Jackson (Fencing) – B. Arts

Chloe Litherland (Netball) – B. Health, Sport & Physical Education

Abigail Meafou (Netball) – B. Human Services

Danielle Prince (Rhythmic Gymnastics) – B. Health, Sport & Physical Education

Emily Haines (Volleyball) – B. Exercise & Sport Sciences