CQU's commitment to being part of the Elite Athlete Friendly University Network was recognised this week when Queensland Academy of Sport Athlete Career and Education Program Advisor Geoff Cox formally presented a plaque to Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Angela Delves.

The Elite Athlete Friendly University (EAFU) Network has been established by the Australian Institute of Sport.

The network aims to identify and promote universities who have responded to the specific needs of elite student athletes by developing new (or promoting existing) policies and practices which assist elite student athletes to undertake sporting opportunities while pursuing and achieving academic excellence.

Associate Professor Peter Reaburn, Head of CQU's School of Health and Human Performance, said CQU\'s flexible learning options and leadership in distance education meant it was already very friendly to athletes and other professional sports people enrolled throughout Australia.

"Together with David Cardnell, Vice-President of Academic Board, we spent many, many hours developing the paperwork to ensure CQU became part of the network," Associate Professor Reaburn said.

"The paperwork took 3-4 months to get through the system".

Associate Professor Reaburn is the key contact within CQU for any issues that athletes may have with courses or programs.

Up to 16 CQU students are currently performing at elite level in a range of sports, but particularly rugby union and cycling.

Around half of these athletes are studying human movements and a few are pursuing teaching qualifications. Meanwhile, softballer Kylie Cronk is listed under science and cricketer Brendan Logue is following a business pathway.

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.

Photo (above): QAS Athlete Career and Education Program Advisor Geoff Cox with CQU Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Angela Delves.

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