The University of New England (UNE) has always been a leader in offering flexible study options and, as the number of enrolments for elite athletes and Olympians increases, they are looking at ways to assist these athletes with flexible learning.
The University’s ever increasing elite athlete base includes the likes of Olympians such as swimmer Melissa Mitchell , waterpolo player Richie Campbell and rower Sarah Cook, just to mention a few.
Dave Schmude, Director of the Sports Business Development Unit and CEO at SportUNE, along with Ben Bible from SportUNE, recently attended a Forum for the Elite Athlete Friendly University (EAFU) Network, of which UNE is a member.
This network was established to identify and promote universities that have developed new or support existing policies and practices to assist elite athletes with their sporting commitments whilst they undertake academic studies.
The day was held at the NSW Institute of Sport, Olympic Park in Sydney and a number of guests speakers talked to the group on various topics. One of the discussions included the issues faced by elite athletes coming from the Pacific region. Pacific Cultural Awareness of football players is something which has become important, as often their way of life has been quite different to our Western lifestyle.
Dave Schmude said, “Education will create a life after sport and that’s why it is so important to promote awareness of the availability of learning whilst undertaking their sporting careers.
“Many athletes go straight from school into professional sport and have no other career path so, when their sporting career is over, it can be very difficult for them to secure a job,” he added.
Other topics of the day were
Cross Institutional Study and how best to deliver courses. Attendees included advisors from the Australian Sports Com-mission, NSW Institute of Sport, representatives from various universities, NRL and Rugby Union as well as the Australian College of Physical Education.
