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Sports Academy & Elite Athlete Program

UNE Sports Academy

UNE Sports Academy was established in 2018 as a high-performance pathway for competitive athletes choosing to complete their studies at UNE and is proudly powered by SportUNE

The Academy is based at SportUNE, and assists student-athletes to balance their studies whilst meeting the high demands of representative level sport.

We help develop;

  • Strong well-rounded student-athletes
  • Resilient student leaders
  • Student-athlete communities
  • Exceptional student experience

With a high-performance facility that is the envy of most regional sporting centres, we’re proud to assist our aspiring athletes to achieve success both on and off the field. The UNE Sports Academy works closely with our UNE Exercise and Sports Science staff and National Sporting Organisations to provide individualised training programs specific to our athlete’s needs. Former Sydney Swans strength and conditioning coach Matt Pine manages our Sports Academy Program and provides one-on-one support and advice to our students.

The program also engages an Academic Support Team and a Physiotherapist to ensure balancing a dual degree and wellbeing is managed and maintained.

A major focus of the Academy is to provide academic support, leadership, personal branding, and mental health education, with the intention of guiding our athletes towards success.

Applications and Expressions of Interest are open for future and current students!

The UNE Sports Academy is a game changer as the only regional based University to set up a supportive pathway for aspiring student athletes in the country.

BENEFITS

  • Free access to the full range of SportUNE health and fitness facilities
  • Individualised advice and training programs focused on athletic development
  • Access to high level sports science fitness testing and monitoring
  • Priority access to a dedicated physiotherapy team at a subsidised rate
  • UNE Sports Academy clothing kit
  • Off field education and personal development support (athlete workshops / online courses)
  • Personalised study support programs, including assistance with application for academic flexibility
  • Subsidised attendance at Australian University Games and Championships (in the nominated elite sport)
  • Ticket to UNE Annual Sports Awards

 

Join the academy

UNE Elite Athletes
UNE Lion 2019
Tommy Oar UNE Elite Athletes

Elite Athlete Program

UNE is part of the Elite Athlete Education Network (EAEN) (previously known as the National Network of Elite Athlete Friendly Universities), which supports Australia’s elite athletes to achieve academic excellence whilst also pursuing a sporting career.

The University supports students who are formally recognised Elite Athletes and provides strategies that ensure that they are not unduly disadvantaged academically or financially as a consequence of participation in their sporting commitments.

 

Find out more

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

You must be studying at UNE to qualify for the UNE Sports Academy or UNE Elite Athlete Program.

Each application is judged on its merits in consultation with the relevant sporting organisation, as well as the UNE student success team, as academic performance will be taken into account.

If you’re looking to take your sporting achievements to the next level, we host a number of talent identification testing days in the lead up to each academic year. You should have represented at the regional level or above in your chosen sport within the last 12 months. However, this is just a guide and our team is more than happy to have a discussion about further opportunities with all sporting students.

Expressions of interest are now open for UNE Sports Academy.

Sign Up Now

We’ve got a big history…

SportUNE has over 80 years of experience and a successful history of university delivered sporting opportunities. We have become one of the best university sporting precincts in Australia.

 

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UNE Sports Academy Charter

Below are our promises as mentors and advisors to our Sports Academy Student-Athletes and their commitment in return.


We will provide:

  • Full gym membership allowing access to all fitness classes and UNE’s first-class sporting facilities, including:
    – 25m, six-lane indoor heated pool;
    – High-performance gym with, highly accredited staff and modern cardio and weight training equipment
    – Group fitness/aerobics classes including stationary bike/spin classes, small group fitness, yoga, pilates, and boxing;
    – Indoor climbing wall;
    – Two squash courts, six floodlit hard court tennis courts;
    – Two Large indoor multi-purpose stadium (for basketball, volleyball, netball, futsal, and badminton);
    – Seven full-size playing fields (for rugby, soccer, rugby league, etc.), one premier playing field, one – Aussie Rules & cricket oval;
    – Two synthetic hockey fields
  • Individual support and mentoring provided by both the High-Performance Manager and UNE Academic Support Team
  • Personalised strength and conditioning advice, programs and monitoring

  • Direct access to UNE Exercise & Sports Science equipment, facilities, and academic staff, allowing high-level sports science testing, data capture, and program analysis
  • Introduce, support and consider the latest techniques and technologies available to assist in achieving the highest performance possible
  • Receiving expertise and presentations from support networks including sports psychologists, nutritionists, personal development and wellbeing specialists
  • Special consideration negotiated by Academic Support Team during event and tournament training and performance
  • Introductions and direct links to Australian Sporting Organisations
  • Subsidised attendance at Australian University Games and other championships in chosen elite sport
  • Scholarship support opportunities for college accommodation
  • Support where practical and appropriate for external (on-line) program members
  • Providing a vigilant duty of care for the athlete and having fun

Student-Athletes are committed to:

  • Contributing to a safe sporting environment and respectful culture
  • To always conduct themselves in a professional manner being aware of responsibilities in representing one’s family, sport, UNE and all of the UNE staff who are supporting them
  • Be present and available for UNE promotional activity and represent the University and Sports Academy with dignity and humility
  • Disclosing all medical, nutrition and wellbeing conditions and requirements to accommodate these into your support program
  • Maintaining satisfactory academic outcomes whilst taking advantage of the support provided by the UNE Student Success team
  • 100% attendance rate at all appointments, training sessions competitions and other meetings
  • Not engaging in any illegal activity, particularly the use of performance-enhancing drugs and doping practices as prescribed by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA)
  • Understanding, acknowledging and adhering to all policies endorsed by the UNE Sports Academy
  • Be open and transparent and have fun

 

Sports Academy Highlights

Elite Athlete

Clare Harpley

World Class Athlete

Katherine Hosking

Goal Getter

Chelsea Thornton

#ActivateYourUNELife

We are accredited with, and have strong associations with, key sporting and industry bodies including;

University of New England,
SportUNE Drive
Armidale NSW 2351
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Open 7 days
Monday - Friday 6:00am - 9:00pm
Saturdays 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sundays 8:00am - 6:00pm
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  (02) 6773 3856

  sportune@une.edu.au