Murdoch University Elite Athlete Program

What a year it’s been for our incredible EAP athletes! From podium finishes and personal bests to balancing sport and study, you’ve inspired us all with your dedication and resilience. 🏅📚

👀 Keep an eye out for the next round of Elite Athlete Program funding applications opening in Semester One.

From our team we wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season—we’re excited to see what 2025 will bring!

As part of the Murdoch University Elite Athlete Program, these outstanding athletes have been awarded funding to help maintain their training while studying their degrees. A big shout-out to:

🏅 Gemima Rahman | Awarded $3,540 - Set to compete in the Open Women's Gilley Shield Championships in Victoria from 7 - 12 Janaury 2025
🏅 Ashlyn Hayes – Awarded $3,550 - Competing in the U23 Women's Joyce Lester Field Championships in Brisbane from 17 to 22 December 2024
🏅 Kate Russel – Awarded $470 - Supporting the purchase of equipment for the Australian National Gymnastics Championships held over in the Gold Coast earlier this year from 16 to 23 May 2024

If you're interested in learning more about the Murdoch University Elite Athlete program, and how you too can continue to pursue your professional training while you study visit: https://www.murdoch.edu.au/explore/support-services/elite-athlete-program.

Murdoch Active

[Image 1: Gemina Rahman. Image 2: Ashlyn Hayes. Image 3: Kate Russel]

Congratulations to Murdoch University student and newest cheerleading World Champion, Taylah Ritchie! 🥇🎉

Team Australia won their division netting Taylah a championship ring and the title of World Champion.

To learn how the Murdoch Elite Athlete Program can support your athletic career while you study visit: https://www.murdoch.edu.au/explore/support-services/elite-athlete-program

The Murdoch University Elite Athlete Fund supports our Elite Athlete students to maintain their training while studying their degrees. Congratulations to the following Elite Athletes for their funding awards:

Anna Walls - $1600
Ashlyn Hayes - $750
Caitlyn Blackman - $1600
Nicolina Ierino - $750

If you're interested in learning more about the Murdoch University Elite Athlete program, and how you too can continue to pursue your professional training while you study visit: https://www.murdoch.edu.au/explore/support-services/elite-athlete-program.

The Murdoch Elite Athlete Fund is a SSAF supported project.

If you've ever wondered what it means to be a Murdoch University Elite Athlete, read of Fiona Cullinane's swim across the English Channel, completing a goal she set for herself when she was eleven.

https://www.murdoch.edu.au/news/articles/a-midnight-swim-to-france

[Pictured: Fiona Cullinane swimming freestyle at night through the English Channel.]

A midnight swim to France Murdoch University second-year criminology, forensic biology and toxicology student Fiona Cullinane recently completed the ‘Everest of open-water swimming’.

Congratulations to Murdoch University elite athlete Fiona Cullinane who on July 30th completed her swim of the English Channel. 🎉

Considered to be the Everest of open water swimming, the English Channel is approximately a 32km swim that is hard on a good day and really hard on a bad one.

Fiona completed her swim in 11 hours and 3 minutes calling it a, "very good swim" despite the technical hiccup of nearly losing her support dingy. 🫣

Swimming the English Channel is a feat that very few people accomplish in their lives and is nothing short of a phenomenal achievement. It was such an amazing effort, and we are grateful to be able to share this journey with you.

Currently ranked #12 in the world, Murdoch University alumni and past elite athlete Matt Smith restarted his Duathlon career in Europe earlier this year.

Over the year he has secured a win in the USA, finished 5th at the Asian Champs, 14th Euros and 17th in Worlds’ 10-60-10 format.

Matt also came 14th in the French Grand Prix after starting from the back of an 80 elite deep field.

In July Matt proudly represented Australia in Green and Gold at the World Games in Alabama where he finished 12th in the best field in the world.

Matt hopes to secure a podium place in the October Asian Champs that will place him deep into the top 10.

Congratulations to our elite athletes, Kaylee Lewsen, Bryce Lanigan, and Fiona Cullinane. As part of the Elite Athlete Program, each athlete has been awarded funding to further their training and developmental goals.

The Elite Athlete Support Fund has been established to provide financial support to students registered under the Elite Athlete Program at Murdoch University. Eligible students can apply twice a year.

[Image 1: Fiona Cullinane smiling and holding up her medal. Image 2: Kaylee Lewsen playing ice hockey. Image 3: Bryce Lanigan standing on the podium in the first place besides the second and third place winners.]

Last Sunday, Murdoch University Elite Athlete Fiona Cullinane was part of the Derwent River swim.

Starting at 2:35am, Fiona ended up completing it in 6 hours and 26 minutes, breaking the previous woman's record of 6:40. 🏆

The water was between 17 and 18 degrees Celsius and with the help of the tides, she was getting up to as fast as 7km/hr!

Congratulations Fiona! What an achievement. 🎉

UniSport Australia is holding a free webinar for emerging female leaders, and those who want to empower females in the administration and management of sport.

See attached post to register.

UniSport Australia invites you to a special webinar where you hear industry leaders share some of their key learnings, advice and tips for both emerging female leaders, and those leaders who want to empower females in the administration and management of sport.

This session will be facilitated by Sophie Curtis, UniSport Australia Board member and feature some outstanding leaders within the sporting industry. Participants will hear from each presenter and then have an opportunity to ask questions. Questions can also be submitted upon registration.

Who should attend:
• Females employed in the UniSport membership
• Leaders that manage female staff
• Female student athlete leaders who are pursuing a career in sport

For more information please contact [email protected]

Registration is free via the below link:
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=CI9F0lM1r02PRs73AIaeq8AkMRPUMR9IolMzQ13j7YFUOEM0QVpMWThZQkkxMFczR0JFTDlPVkxJTiQlQCN0PWcu

As a community, it was exciting to know four Murdoch students – Jeremy Hayward, Amie Thompson, Elizaveta Parnova, and Monique de Vries – were competing at this year’s Olympic Games.

You may have caught a glimpse of Amie who competed in artistic swimming – a sport that combines both artistry and athleticism. Artistic swimming can be compared to underwater team gymnastics, with athletes required to perform both precise and challenging moves submerged.

“Personally, I was in the zone wanting to push my limits and achieve my best, so I didn’t notice the lack of crowds. It was just an honour and privilege to be able to compete on the international stage, for both the team and duet competitions.” - Aime Thompson.

For Kookaburras player Jeremy, the end of Toyko 2020 has meant he’s jumped straight into a new challenge – a room full of primary school students.

"It was a high-intensity game which came down to the wire, with a lot of raw emotion at the end of the match. We are all very proud of what we’ve achieved and stoked to walk away with a silver medal." - Jeremy Hayward.

Snippets of a larger article published internally.

UWA is offering a free mental skills workshop as part of a research study designed to assess the effect of mental skills on training programmes.

If you're interested or for more information please contact:

Cameron Norsworthy (PhD student)
📧 [email protected]

Ben Jackson (Research superviosr)
📧 [email protected]