Meet UWS’s Elite Athletes
From running and high jump to handball and dance, the talents of the University’s elite athletes and performers are diverse. In June, UWS announced five student recipients of the UWS Elite Athletes Scholarship and 35 students were accepted into the Elite Athlete and Performer Program (EAP).
Michael Auprince, Dani Samuels and Jana Rawlinson are just some of the athletes who are recognised as being UWS Elite Athletes and who we hope will be representing UWS at upcoming sports competitions. Michael recently represented Australia at the London Paralympic Games and won gold and bronze medals; Dani represented Australia at the London Olympic Games; and Jana is renowned for her exceptional running and hurdling skills and representing the country at international competitions, including winning gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2006 and 2002.
Through uwsconnect, UWS offers sports scholarships to students who are either entering or continuing an undergraduate or postgraduate course. Elite Athlete recipients accepted into the EAP are given support to help balance their sporting careers with their study commitments.
“Although I’m not overly competitive, I do want to win a gold medal one day,” says Bachelor of Sport and Exercise student Shannon Huntley-Wei, a European handball player who has been accepted into EAP for the second consecutive year. “The experience with the Elite Athletes and Performers program has been positive, and the support and help have been reassuring.”
Shannon will be representing UWS at the Australian University Games on the Gold Coast in September/October, acting as Team Manager of the European Handball team with duties including organising team members and fundraising events, completing team administrative tasks and participating in post-event forums and reviews.
Jack Bangel, an accomplished 400m hurdler who was selected for the Australian 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games team, is studying the Bachelor of Construction Management on the Kingswood campus and was awarded UWS Elite Athlete status. “With the University’s support I can manage my workload with flexibility,” he says. “UWS understands that sport is a priority for me, and helps me manage this.”
David Snowdon’s long legs could be a clue to his speciality in athletics. The high-jumper is studying podiatry at UWS and says being recognised by the University as an Elite athlete has meant that he can restructure his units of study to fit with his demanding training schedule. “The Head of my School has been great and said I will be able to rearrange clinical school,” explains David.
If you’re heading to the Australian University Games in September/October this year, keep an eye out for the many elite athletes UWS is proud to support.
Congratulations to the following students for their Elite Athlete and Performers achievements:
Alpine skiing: Melissa Perrine
Athletics: Dani Samuels, David Snowdon, Jack Bangel, Jana Rawlinson
Canoe slalom: Ethan Hodson, Jaxon Merritt, Margaret Webster
Cricket: Kurtis Patterson, Rene Farrell
European handball: Shannon Huntley-Wei, Tayler Darlington
Figure skating: Mark Webster
Hockey: Mahala Williams
Ice hockey: Brian Funes
Irish dancing: Alicia Bryant, William Bryant
Martial arts: Lihnida Veleski
Rugby League: Arnold Wolf, Daniel Alvaro, Finlay Dibley, Jarrad Szczudlo
Rugby Union: Allan Alaalatoa, Michael Alaalatoa, Rohan Saifoloi, Steven Cummins
Soccer: Daniel Sadaka, Elizabeth Ralston, Yianni Perkatis
Softball: Cassandra Wright
Swimming: Emilio Nogarotto, Michael Auprince
Ten pin bowling: Rachel Dinte
