Student Intranet - Support

Elite Athlete Program

Edith Cowan University encourages students to strive for personal excellence in all aspects of their life. The University recognises and promotes the value of combining both sporting and academic aspirations. This is why ECU is a member of the Elite Athlete Friendly University (EAFU) network. As an Elite Athlete Friendly University, ECU has an agreement with the Australian Sports Commission to support elite athletes in achieving and balancing both their academic and sporting pursuits.

There are currently many elite athletes studying at ECU who are engaged nationally and internationally in a broad range of sports including, AFL football, water polo, soccer, netball, athletics, swimming, cycling, golf, rowing, hockey, cheerleading and wheelchair sports.

What can we offer?

ECU understands that athletes require increased support to successfully integrate their studies while training and competing. As a result, athletes under the Elite Athlete Program (EAP) at ECU may be able to negotiate their study options related to enrolment and assessment.

Students that qualify into the EAP will be provided with the following support:

Enrolment related needs

• ability to tailor academic study load to integrate with sporting commitments;
• negotiate lecture, tutorial and practical timetables to accommodate sporting commitments;
• extension of the maximum time allowed for completion of a course due to periods of a decreased study load;
• ability to defer a course numerous times (for example, Olympic or World Championship years);
• cross-institutional study options with interstate universities;
• provision of summer or winter school units and an ability to study through mixed modes of study, swapping between off-campus and on-campus and;
• access to off campus study materials and class notes for missed lectures, tutorials and practicals.

Assessment related needs

• ability to negotiate assessment deadlines based on sporting related travel commitments;
• ability to sit exams under external exam conditions if the athlete is competing out of the state;
• minimum attendance at lectures, tutorials or practicals waived where student-athlete is unavailable due to sporting commitments and;
• recognition of credit achieved at interstate universities.

Students that are approved into the EAP are also able to apply for Special Consideration where circumstances meet the eligibility requirements for this provision.

Gym membership

Athletes registered under ECU’s EAP (and currently enrolled in an ECU course of study) may be eligible for free membership to the ECU Health and Fitness Centres (available on the Joondalup and Mount Lawley campuses).

Defining elite athletes

For athletes to access the support of the EAP at ECU, a student must be recognised by one of the following as an elite athlete:

• Australian Institute of Sport
• Western Australian Institute of Sport
• AFL Players’ Association
• Rugby League Players’ Association
• Rugby Union Professionals’ Association
• Australian Professional Footballers’ Association
• Australian Cricketers’ Association
• National squad members from Australian Sports Commission funded sports

Consideration will also be given to students who are national representatives in international sporting events. Other levels of representation such as State representation will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

ECU also recognises Coaches, Officials and Elite Performers who are competing or committed to sport or other disciplines at a state, national or international level.

How can I apply for the EAP?

ECU recognises that training and/or competition for an elite student-athlete may affect their academic performance.

Please complete the EAP application form.

As outlined in the EAP application, please include a letter from your state or national sporting body confirming your selection into the sport.

All applicants will be notified as to the outcome of their application within 14 business days.

Renewing your participation in the program

Each year of study you will be required to renew your registration with the Elite Athlete program. This should be done using the renewal form.

Currently in Year 12 and interested in studying under the EAP at ECU?

Elite athletes intending to apply for study at ECU are encouraged to visit the TISC Educational Access Scheme (EAS) page. Elite sporting commitments are classed as 'other' in the categories listed at TISC.

Elite Athlete Enquiries

Telephone: 134 328
Email: studentsuccess@ecu.edu.au