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 honour highlights QUT’s ongoing commitment to providing holistic support for students who balance their studies with elite sport.
It 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.
The 2025 cohort includes the four students pictured above 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).
QUT Director of Sport Emily Rosemond said the name change to the Elite Sport Program reflected its expanded focus, with the program embracing the wider sports ecosystem and ESEN goals.
“To align with the broader national agenda, it was important for us to have a focus on athletes over the past four years,” she said.
“But now, as we progress, 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.
“Now, more than ever, we need to all work closely together and support holistic, high-performance sport development as Queensland prepares for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
AIS Director Matti Clements and QUT’s Chief People Officer Gillian Bromley this month signed the AIS’s ‘Win Well Pledge’ on behalf of the two organisations.
“We need our universities and TAFEs to help support a sustainable system so we reach not just our performance goals at 2032, but also our life goals for these individuals (student athletes, coaches and officials),” Ms Clements said.
“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 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.
QUT Media contacts:
- Mechelle McMahon, media@qut.edu.au
- After hours, 0407 585 901 or media@qut.edu.au
