Australian Institute of Sport Scholarships support athletes in sport, education and life

The Australian Institute of Sport has awarded more than $100,000 in education scholarships to another 41 athletes from 19 sports and 19 tertiary institutions – continuing its support of athletes to be successful in sport, education and life.

Olympians such as Belle Brockhoff (Winter Olympian), Ria Thompson (Rowing), Henry Hutchinson (Rugby Sevens) and Flynn Ogilvie (Hockey) join Paralympians such as Jamieson Leeson (Boccia), Tom Birtwhistle (Rowing) and Susan Seipel among this latest class of AIS Education Scholarship holders.

In its second year, the AIS Education Scholarship program has now awarded a total of more than $320,000 in scholarships to 118 athletes across 30 sports and 31 tertiary institutions. The program is possible thanks to the generous support of the John and Myriam Wylie Foundation.

John Wylie, former Chair of the Australian Sports Commission notes “I’ve been inspired to see how hard athletes work to chase their sporting dreams, but it doesn’t need to be at the sacrifice of their other ambitions in life. Sport and education is a winning mix.

“It’s fantastic to see more sports and more educational institutions take the opportunity to join this program, this time we’re adding athletes from rugby, netball and boccia. We have seasoned Olympians and Paralympians who have competed at the highest level, through to emerging athletes starting out on their sporting and education journeys. That’s the wonderful opportunity Australian sport provides.”

Last year’s Snowboard Cross World Champion and three-time Olympian Belle Brockhoff is studying a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Law at Deakin University and says balancing study and sport helps her to be a better athlete now, while giving her confidence that she will be ready for life after sport when the time comes.

“Study has provided me with different perspectives and ideas that have strengthened my learning abilities in my sport and allowed me to be a better athlete. The double degree will also really improve my occupational readiness and confidence when I transition out of sport,” Brockhoff said.

In the lead up to Paris 2024, Olympic rower and Tokyo bronze medallist Ria Thompson says the AIS Education Scholarship will help her take the first steps in preparing for her post-athletic career as a doctor, while also training for her goal of becoming a dual Olympian.

“The skills required to be a high performance athlete complement my studies and will one day be very important to my career in medicine,” Thompson said. “I have always loved studying and training concurrently and while balancing them has been challenging at times, I have learnt invaluable time management and organisational skills and the importance of prioritising and asking for help.”

Boccia player Jamieson Leeson made her Paralympic debut in Tokyo last year and is studying a Bachelor of Economics at The University of New South Wales.

“Studying while being a high performance athlete increases my motivation for success as it allows me to clear my mind from my sport for a short period of time. Being a high performance athlete is not forever and this scholarship will also assist me in my career after boccia.”

The AIS has prioritised athlete education and created more specialised athlete support by building its Elite Athlete Education Network (EAEN) across the country.

AIS Director Matti Clements added “The AIS now has formal links with more than 40 universities and 12 TAFEs, giving Australian athletes greater choice and flexibility with their education support. We are pleased to support athletes who demonstrate a genuine commitment to study and can use their own experiences to inspire and benefit others, in sport and the broader community.”

AIS Education Scholarship recipients

Al Viney: Rowing Australia, Deakin University, Master of Business (Sports Management), VIC
Angus Armstrong: Athletics Australia, The University of Western Australia, Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Neuroscience), WA
Aoife Coughlan: Judo Australia, Victoria University, ABHE-exercise science (clinical practice), VIC
Belle Brockhoff: Snow Australia, Deakin University, Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Law, VIC
Benjamin Manning: Paddle Australia, Griffith University, Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), QLD
Bradley Woodward: Swimming Australia, University of Western Sydney, Bachelor of Physiotherapy, NSW
Caelin Winchcombe: Australian Sailing, The University of Western Australia, Diploma in Science, WA
Chloe Fisher: Australian Sailing, The University of Melbourne, Bachelor of Science, VIC
Claire Colwill: Hockey Australia, The University of Queensland, Clinical Exercise Physiology (Honours), QLD
Daniel Munk: Water Polo Australia, University of Technology Sydney, Bachelor of Construction Project Management, NSW
Elizabeth Browne: Diving Australia, The University of Melbourne, Bachelor of Science, VIC
Elle Armit: Water Polo Australia, Queensland University of Technology, Graduate Certificate in Education, QLD
Flynn Ogilvie: Hockey Australia, The University of South Australia, Medical Sonography, SA
Georgia Sinclair: Paddle Australia, Griffith University, Diploma of Health Science, QLD
Grace Moloney: Bowls Australia, The University of Adelaide, Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences, SA
Hattie Shand: Hockey Australia, The University of Adelaide, Bachelor of Science (Animal Science), SA
Henry Hutchison: Rugby Australia, The University of New South Wales, Bachelor of Commerce, NSW
Jamieson Leeson: Boccia Australia, The University of New South Wales, Bachelor of Economics, NSW
Jasmine Locke: Paddle Australia, University of Wollongong, Bachelor of Pre-Medicine, Science and Health, NSW
Jay Macdonald: Hockey Australia, University of Canberra, Bachelor of Physiotherapy, ACT
Jessica Ewart-McTigue: Triathlon Australia, Griffith University, Bachelor of Environmental Science, QLD
Jocelyn Bartram: Hockey Australia, Notre Dame, Doctor of Medicine
Joseph White: Squash Australia, Deakin University, Bachelor of Exercise Science and Business (sports management), VIC
Josh Katz: Judo Australia, University of Canberra, Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science, VIC
Keesja Gofers:  Water Polo Australia, Charles Sturt University, Masters of Teaching (Secondary), NSW
Matilda Moore: Water Polo Australia, Queensland University of Technology, Bachelor of Vision Science, QLD
Matthew Ramsden: Athletics Australia, Deakin University, Bachelor of Law, VIC
Nathan Hart: AusCycling, The University of South Australia, Bachelor of Outdoor and Environmental Leadership, SA
Peter Bruce: Water Polo Australia, The University of Western Australia, Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Commerce, WA
Renee Taylor: Hockey Australia, Curtin University, Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Commerce, WA
Ria Thompson: Rowing Australia, The University of Queensland, Doctor of Medicine, QLD
Saffron Tambyrajah: Australian Taekwondo, The University of Melbourne, Bachelor of Science, VIC
Sarah Hoffman: Australian Sailing, The University of Newcastle, Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws (Honours), NSW
Stephanie Kershaw: Hockey Australia, Curtin University, Bachelor of Primary Education, WA
Susan Seipel: Paddle Australia, Griffith University, Psychology (Hon), QLD
Tahli Gill: Olympic Winter Institute of Australia, Queensland University of Technology, Bachelor Degree of Education (Primary), QLD
Tamzin Christoffel: Australian Taekwondo, Griffith University, Bachelor of Education, QLD
Tara Sosinski: Triathlon Australia, Griffith University, Bachelor of Biomedical Science, QLD
Tayla Williams: Netball Australia, The University of South Australia, Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science, Bachelor of Nutrition and Food Science (Double Degree), SA
Thomas Birtwhistle: Rowing Australia, University of Technology Sydney, Masters of Teaching (Secondary), NSW
Yale Steinepreis: Paddle Australia, Griffith University, Juris Doctor, QLD