QUT becomes first Australian university to be awarded AIS gold rating

In recognition of its ongoing commitment to providing holistic support for students who balance their studies with elite sport, the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) has become the first Australian university to be named a gold tier member of the Australian Institute of Sport’s new Elite Sport Education Network (ESEN).

The gold, silver and bronze ratings have been introduced to the ESEN to help athletes, coaches and staff balance a career in sport while pursuing higher education.

Australian Sports Commission (ASC) Executive General Manager of AIS Performance Matti Clements said she’s proud to see the nation’s universities adopt sport’s vision to win well.

Clements noted “QUT is a great example and illustration of what universities can offer our Australian high performance system.

“We need our universities and TAFEs to help support a sustainable sporting system, so we reach not just our performance goals for the Brisbane 2032 Games, but also our life goals for athletes, coaches and officials.

“I’m really pleased and thankful for QUT to be our first network partner – our gold tier partner – in this education network.

“You are a great example and illustration of what universities can offer our Australian high performance system – flexibility for our high-performing athletes, coaches and officials.”

The award also coincides with the expansion of the QUT Elite Sport Program (formerly known as QUT Elite Athlete Program) which now provides support for students who are coaches and sports officials at an elite level, as well as those who are athletes.

This year the program will provide wellbeing, academic and financial support to more than 300 students from nationally recognised sports.

To mark the university’s gold rating, QUT Chief People Officer Gillian Bromley signed the Win Well Pledge as a commitment to balancing ambitious performance goals with wellbeing.

The pledge is part of the Win Well Strategy, sports’ united roadmap to success in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Games which has been signed by 62 sports and sporting organisations.

“We are supporting the broader coach and official group in addition to our athletes. We recognise this as the next step to embracing a whole-of-ecosystem approach to high-performance sport,” QUT Director of Sport Emily Rosemond said.

“Now more than ever we need to all work closely together and support holistic, high-performance sport development as Queensland prepares for 2032.”

The ESEN is comprised of AIS-endorsed universities, TAFEs and other education providers who have committed to supporting elite athletes, coaches and officials for the duration of their course of study.

To learn more and see the scholarship opportunities available, visit the ASC website here.

More on the Win Well Strategy   

The Elite Sport Education Network is comprised of AIS-endorsed universities, TAFEs and other education providers who have committed to supporting elite athletes, coaches and officials for the duration of their course of study. This ensures their experience on, and off campus, is one that is rewarding, flexible and helps them acquire the right skills and qualifications needed to follow their passions and interests outside of sport while still pursuing their sporting goals.

Image top. The 2025 cohort includes the four students at the QUT Sports Field: Ilan Cloete (engineering/business student and judo athlete), Jessica Ling (engineering student and rugby 7s referee), Brianna Mears (design student and volleyball coach) and Samuel Forbes (business/law student and rowing athlete); image below: QUT Director of Sport Emily Rosemond at QUT Virtual Sport Studio. Credit QUT/AIS