Elite athletes
Study at an athlete-friendly university* and reach your full potential.
As a sportsperson, you’re used to putting in the hard yards, focusing your mind and pushing yourself beyond the ordinary to achieve the extraordinary.
In other words, you have what it takes to succeed at uni.
*Flinders is a member of the Australian Institute of Sport's Elite Athlete Education Network.
Elite Athlete Entry Pathway
Our dedicated Elite Athletes Admissions Scheme provides a pathway to university study for elite sportspeople.
If you’ve officially represented your school or state at a national level competition, we’ll consider your school’s recommendation about your academic potential when you apply.
The pathway is available for a wide range of Flinders courses.
Applications for the Elite Athletes Admission Scheme for entry to Flinders in 2023 are now open. Applications close 30 December 2022. Late applications may be accepted.
^subject pre-requisites apply
*portfolio and/or audition required for entry
Elite Athlete Program study support
At Flinders, we’re committed to supporting Australia’s elite athletes to achieve academic excellence while also pursuing a sporting career and we appreciate how difficult it is to combine elite and high performance ambitions with an academic workload.
The Elite Athlete Education Network at Flinders
Flinders is a member of the Elite Athlete Education Network (EAEN) that supports Australia's elite athletes to achieve academic excellence while also pursuing a sporting career.
Through this program we provide students with:
- Advice, guidance and advocacy on academic planning, including enrolment and assessment needs.
- Support in negotiating flexibility to meet sporting and academic requirements, including:
- study load and timetables
- leave of absence to meet commitments
- assessment deadlines
- sitting exams externally
- work integrated learning arrangements
- cross-institutional study options interstate or credit transfer arrangements.
- Services, including:
- medical, counselling and student learning assistance
- career development, including the Horizon Award professional development workshops
- access to the Sports Ambassador program for casual employment opportunities.
To be eligible for the program, you need to be competing in at the highest level in your State or above:
- International – representing Australia at senior and junior level.
- National – competing at national level within Australia.
- State – participating in the top tier competition in the state (with the potential to compete at national and international competition).
If you are eligible for the program and enrolled as a Flinders University student, you will be required to submit your application (one per academic year) prior to the relevant semester census date.
Applications made after the census date will be considered where you can demonstrate:
- you were not advised of your selection for participation in an elite sporting event or team until after the census date; or
- there were extenuating circumstances beyond your control which prevented you from submitting the application before the census date.
Please:
- have documentation ready for upload before beginning your application, this will require a written reference (on letterhead) from your coach, club or association confirming your participation at international, national or state (highest level in the state) competition; and
- note that where your application is successful, it will only be effective for the academic year in which it is granted and you will be required to re-apply for consideration for each subsequent year of study.
If you have any questions, please contact us at eliteathlete@flinders.edu.au.
Athlete Development Program
The Athlete Development Program delivered by Flinders University Sport and Fitness is a sports training and athletic support program aimed at assisting students in the pursuit of sporting and academic excellence.
Student athletes who are successful in achieving a place on this program will have access to high level facilities and training environments with support from highly qualified staff. The strength and conditioning team can tailor their support to work alongside current programs and sporting coaches, or develop a program to suit individual needs. In addition students will also have access to allied health professionals to assist with assessing and managing injuries, and assessing nutritional and dietary requirements.
Key benefits include:
- Flinders University Sport and Fitness Gym membership
- Clinical health and fitness assessment
- Movement screening
- Individual strength and conditioning program
- Strength and conditioning facility access and coaching
- Allied health support – physiotherapy and dietitian services
- Funding assistance to compete at the UniSport Nationals
Applications are open and will close on 7 March 2023.
For more information including eligibility and how to apply for the Athlete Development Program please download the program brochure. Alternatively please contact Flinders Sport and Fitness.
Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042
South Australia | Northern Territory
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CRICOS Provider: 00114A TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12097 TEQSA category: Australian University