UNE Sports Academy was established in 2018 as a high-performance pathway for competitive athletes choosing to complete their studies at UNE.
The Academy assists student-athletes to balance their studies whilst meeting the high demands of representative level sport.
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.
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.
Applications and Expressions of Interest are open for future and current students!
Through a long and successful history of university delivered sporting opportunities, SportUNE has become one of the best university sporting precincts in Australia.
You must be studying at UNE to qualify for the UNE Sports Academy. Priority will be given to on-campus students, or off-campus students based in the Armidale area.
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
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 via the link below.
Below are our promises as mentors and advisors to our Sports Academy Student-Athletes and their commitment in return.
We will provide:
Access to 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
Free access to all UNE’s sporting facilities, including full gym membership and access to all fitness classes
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
By 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