Central Queensland University (CQU) is cheering on Australia’s up-and-coming sports stars having recently joined the National Network of Athlete Friendly Universities, a national initiative of the Australian Institute of Sport.

CQU has implemented a number of policies to ensure that elite athletes who have been identified by some of Australia’s key sports organisations [eg. Australian Institute of Sports] can successfully pursue a degree while maintaining their sports commitments that often involve overseas travel or time off for major training camps or competitions.

CQU is widely regarded as one of Australia’s largest providers of distance education with many courses available online and accessible over a number of terms. This flexibility enables students such as elite athletes to have choice in where and when they may want to study.

Professional triathlete and Olympian Maxine Seear, based in Brisbane, this year began studying a Bachelor of Human Movement Science degree at CQU via distance education (the only such degree in Australia) and is excited about the opportunity to study around her busy training regime.

“I am really enjoying being able to do the program I have always wanted to do externally,” Ms Seear explained. “As a professional triathlete I am required to travel around the world for months at a time and spend lots of hours training a day, so CQU’s distance education degree in human movements is fantastic”.

CQU was recommended to Ms Seear by the Queensland Academy of Sport Athlete Career Education staff.

Mr Seear began triathlons four years ago by chance. Previously involved in equestrian events and swimming, she was prompted to try the sport by her brother.

“I did my first triathlon four years ago and I haven’t looked back”.

In her first year she qualified for the World Junior Championships in Cancun, Mexico, her third triathlon ever, and came fifth. The following year she raced in the same competition in New Zealand and came second, and two weeks later competed in the Olympic trials and came in second, beating the current elite world champion.

After other successful campaigns, Mr Seear joined the Australian Olympic team and competed in Athens just two-and-a-half years after starting the sport.

Unfortunately Seear’s 2005 season was wiped out with injury and after a major operation and lots of recovery and rehabilitation she is training again and will complete again later in the year.

Photo: New CQU student Maxine Seear is able to fit her academic life at CQU around her triathlon career.