Access support to help you succeed in your studies and enable you to commit to your sporting obligations.
You will receive an Elite Athlete Program Plan which details your eligibility to receive services such as allocation of class preferences, assignment extensions, and deferred examinations. You will also be assigned a liaison officer who will support you during your studies, through to your graduation.
Elite Athlete Friendly University
Murdoch University is proud to be an established Elite Athlete Friendly University (EAFU), an initiative of Sport Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). We follow the guiding principles set out by the EAFU program.
To find out more about the program and the guiding principles visit the AIS website.
Eligibility
To register under the Elite Athlete Program you need to be recognised as an elite athlete as described under the guiding principles of the EAFU program. The majority of elite athletes within Australia are on a scholarship with the Australian Institute of Sport or the network of institutes and academies of sport. There are also alternative ways an athlete may be included in the program.
Eligibility can be determined in one of the following ways:
If you are registered with one of these listed organisations, you are eligible for the program:
- Australian Institute of Sport
- State Institutes or Academies of Sport
- AFL Players' Association
- Australian Cricketers' Association
- Rugby Union Players' Association
- Rugby League Professionals' Association
- Australian Professional Footballers' Association
- Australian Basketballers Alliance
- National squad members from Sports Australia funded sports
- Anyone playing in a state competition or at national level.
Contact us directly so we can let you know more about our program and confirm your registration.
If you perform or compete as a professional dancer you are eligible for the program.
If you compete at a national or international level, you can submit an application for consideration along with supporting documentation from your sporting body.
Senior/head coaches from state and territory institutes/academies of sport, national teams from Sport Australia funded sports or participating professional sports may apply to register under the program.
Selection criteria
- Podium: Athletes who have won a medal at an Olympic/ Paralympic Games, world championships or Commonwealth Games in the previous 24months and are considered capable of winning a medal at the next games
- Podium ready: Athletes who have placed 4-8 at the most recent Olympic/ Paralympic games, world championships or Commonwealth Games and must be capable of progression to Podium
- Athletes that are part of a World University Games team
- Athletes that participate in World Cups or World Championships
- AIS registered athletes.
Services offered
- Free membership to the ‘The Murdoch Active Gym’ Sport facilities
- Academic Support (see below for details)
- Elite Athlete Program Plan (Gold)
- Opportunity to apply for competitive financial support of the EA Support Fund (maximum amount to be confirmed at the start of each year)*
- Funding provided to represent Murdoch University at sporting events.
*Funding decisions are made by the Elite Athlete Program team. Subject to availability.
- WAIS members/scholarship holders
- National League Team player/ professional club player squad member.
- Professional performing artists (Decision will be made dependent on level)
- E-Sport (Decision will be made dependent on level) – Professional (Oceania or above level)
Services offered
- Free membership to the ‘The Murdoch Active Gym’ Sport facilities
- Academic Support (see below for details)
- Elite Athlete Program Plan (Silver)
- Opportunity to apply for competitive financial support of the EA Support Fund (maximum amount TBC at the start of each year)*
- Funding provided to represent Murdoch University at sporting events.
*Funding decisions are made by the Elite Athlete Program team. Subject to availability.
- Athletes that are placed with a State Team (or athletes at the highest state league level)
- Student-athletes that hold a training agreement with WAIS
- E-Sport (Decision will be made dependent on level) – Semi-professional
- Professional performing artists (Decision will be made dependent on level).
Services offered
- Free membership to the ‘The Murdoch Active Gym’ Sport facilities
- Academic Support (see below for details)
- Elite Athlete Program Plan (Bronze)
- Opportunity to apply for competitive financial support of the EA Support Fund (maximum amount TBC at the start of each year)*.
*Funding decisions are made by the Elite Athlete Program team. Subject to availability.
How to apply
To apply for the program:
- complete the Elite Athlete Program application form and send it to specialprograms@murdoch.edu.au.
- contact our Special Programs Coordinator so we can ensure your name is registered and let you know more about our program.
Benefits
As an elite athlete we understand you need extra support to help you balance training, competition and study commitments. Support is provided to help you meet your individual needs and goals.
- Allocated specific staff contact that responds to the specific needs of all student-athletes, including advice and guidance on academic planning
- Contact Academics on behalf of students
- Advice and guidance on academic planning/ enrolment load
- Support in negotiating flexible study options with Academic staff such as sitting exams externally or on another day, negotiating assessment deadlines/ assignment extensions, allocation of class preferences
- Lodge retrospective withdrawal forms and deferred exam forms for students.
- Allocated specific staff contact that responds to the specific needs of all student-athletes, including advice and guidance on academic planning
- Contact Academics on behalf of students
- Advice and guidance on academic planning/ enrolment load
- Support in negotiating flexible study options with Academic staff such as sitting exams externally or on another day, negotiating assessment deadlines/ assignment extensions, allocation of class preferences,
- Lodge retrospective withdrawal forms and deferred exam forms for students.
- Applications for assignment extensions and deferred exams are to be submitted by the athlete.
Connect on Facebook
The Murdoch University Elite Athlete Program Facebook page is a forum where you can ask questions or participate in discussions relating to Murdoch studies. You are also encouraged to post news regarding your sporting achievements and news and events topical for the elite athlete community.
Your support team
Get in touch
Steffi Langer-Kool
Email: specialprograms@murdoch.edu.au
Phone: +61 8 9360 7626
Visit: Building 350.3.001
Hours: Tuesdays 8:30am–4:30pm
