Australian water polo player and QUT teaching and health graduate Elle Armit was one of almost 50 QUT students to be awarded sports scholarships in 2022 – and now the hunt is on for more talented athletes for the 2023 round of scholarships.
Elle has been a member of the Australian women’s water polo team since 2013 and has represented her country internationally at events including last year’s Tokyo Olympics.
She graduated from QUT in 2016 with a Bachelor of Exercise and Movement Science / Bachelor of Education (Secondary), and this year also completed a Graduate Certificate in Education (Career Development and Counselling) with QUT Online.
She now works as a high school teacher in Brisbane, and also has a new role with Water Polo Australia advising young athletes.
Elle was one of the inaugural 10 recipients of the new QUT-Australian Institute of Sport Scholarship for 2022, each worth $10,000.
More QUT-AIS scholarships will be awarded next year, along with other QUT Sport scholarships including the QUT Elite Sports Scholarships and QUT Rising Sports Scholarships (which include eSports scholarships).
Elle has been working as a supply teacher within the Catholic education system since graduating with her teaching degree and spent this term working as a health and physical education teacher at St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace.
After obtaining her career development and counselling credentials mid-2022, she also landed a part-time job with Water Polo Australia as an athlete well-being and engagement advisor.
“I’ve always been passionate about helping others and have given talks on career pathways and development, and the graduate certificate has given me specific qualifications to really forge a career in this area,” Elle said.
“My new role with Water Polo Australia involves working with the junior and youth boys’ teams and helping them with stress points away from the pool, ranging from helping them navigate the logistics of moving states for their training, to balancing university study commitments and getting extensions on assessments. I’m their go-to triage point.”
In addition to monetary support, Elle’s QUT-AIS Scholarship this year gave her access to QUT’s Elite Athlete Program and its support services.
“While I was studying at QUT and juggling my sporting commitments I was able to tap into the Elite Athlete Program to obtain support that enabled me to access convenient times for training and get help navigating assessment extensions and other assistance where needed,” she said.
Elle also received a QUT Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship (now the QUT Excellence Scholarships program) when she started her teaching and exercise science studies back in 2010.
“I chose to study both areas because I really liked the exercise and movement science and body anatomy side of things, but I also knew teaching and education was something I liked too and would be a chance to give back to the community,” she said.
“I had to move from Townsville to Brisbane for water polo and QUT had the best reputation for teaching. Doing the double degree gave me career options … I wasn’t sure at first that I would go on and work as a teacher, but now that I’ve done it for a few years I’m glad I did because I really enjoy it.”
QUT Sports Manager Emily Rosemond said applications for all QUT Sport scholarships for 2023 would close on January 13.
“Our scholarships are open to students already studying at QUT and those who are enrolling to start in 2023,” she said.
“We have about 220 students in our Elite Athlete Program and almost 50 of those received scholarships in 2022. We plan to expand the program over the next decade in the lead up to the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“In addition to receiving a funding boost, the scholarships give students access to our Elite Athlete Program and practical help to make studying and training a viable combination.
“This includes helping them access early class registrations so that they can fit in classes around their training, access to allied health services through the QUT Health Clinics, access to gym and pool facilities, and travel bursaries to help get them to competitions.”
Water Polo Australia’s Performance Services, Wellbeing and Engagement Manager, Sharyn Arnold, said one of the greatest challenges athletes faced was time management.
“Having a strong support network and a number of people who can advocate on the athlete’s behalf whilst they juggle their sporting commitments and career development is crucial” she said.
“At times athletes can feel overwhelmed not only psychologically, but also financially. That’s where scholarships and financial support from the university can really assist and provide athletes with that additional chance to succeed.”
Visit QUT Sport for more details on scholarships for 2023.
QUT Media contacts:
- Mechelle McMahon, media@qut.edu.au
- After hours, 0407 585 901 or media@qut.edu.au
