Melbourne University Sport -

Australian Unity provides academic edge
15 October 2009; Swimming Australia

Swimming Australia and Australian Unity are pleased to announce that world champion Marieke Guehrer, Paralympian Hannah Macdougall and World University Games team member Lloyd Townsing are the recipients of the 2009/10 Australian Unity Educational Grants.

Aimed at recognising and rewarding athletes for their educational pursuits, this is the third year grants have been distributed to elite swimmers with 2009/10 the first year that three grants will be awarded, based on the three outstanding applications from Guehrer, McDougall and Townsing.

Australian Unity’s Group Managing Director Rohan Mead says the grants are a fantastic way to reward swimmers who are combining their studies with elite training and competition.

“Our partnership with Swimming Australia is about helping our athletes reach their full potential in and out of the pool,” says Mr Mead.

“We understand that it can be hard for athletes to juggle their swimming career with their studies. Our educational grants, now in their third year, are our way of trying to ease that burden.”

Townsing is a final year Commerce and Information Systems student at the University of Melbourne and since breaking his neck in a snowboarding accident in 2001 has worked hard to achieve his goal of competing at the highest level both in and out of the pool.

The 24-year-old sprint freestyler will compete at the FINA Arena World Cups in Europe and Singapore next month, and as well as London 2012, has firm sights on a Graduate Diploma in Environment on completing his first degree.

“Thanks to this grant, I’ll be able to cover the cost of completing my degrees and hopefully achieve my dream of competing at the 2012 Olympic Games in London,” said Townsing.

Fellow Victorian and University of Melbourne student Marieke Guehrer has successfully combined study and swimming in the past 12 months on way her to a World Championship gold medal in Rome and world record at last year’s FINA Arena World Cup.

Guehrer is completing a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in International Politics and also wants to study French or Italian on completion of her first degree.

“The money from the grant will help me to pay the fees for my current degree, and then I’m planning to enrol in a diploma of languages in French or Italian. It really means a lot to receive support for activities outside of the pool,” said Guehrer.

Athens and Beijing Paralympian and captain of the Australian Paralympic team, Hannah Macdougall is also combining tertiary education with elite swimming, currently undertaking a Bachelor of Sport Science and Bachelor of Commerce at Deakin University in Melbourne.

“I feel very lucky to have received this grant. It can be hard to juggle swimming with study but the money from Australian Unity will help me to pay for my tuition and books,” said Hannah.

Each recipient of the Australian Unity Educational Grant will receive $6,500 for one year to assist with funding their tertiary studies.


Home Membership Facilities Aquatics Group Fitness Health Services Boot Camp Clubs Sport and Recreation Photo Gallery Ski Lodge About Us Staff Contact Us News Archive Merchandise	Australian Unity provides academic edge 15 October 2009; Swimming Australia Swimming Australia and Australian Unity are pleased to announce that world champion Marieke Guehrer, Paralympian Hannah Macdougall and World University Games team member Lloyd Townsing are the recipients of the 2009/10 Australian Unity Educational Grants. Aimed at recognising and rewarding athletes for their educational pursuits, this is the third year grants have been distributed to elite swimmers with 2009/10 the first year that three grants will be awarded, based on the three outstanding applications from Guehrer, McDougall and Townsing. Australian Unity’s Group Managing Director Rohan Mead says the grants are a fantastic way to reward swimmers who are combining their studies with elite training and competition. “Our partnership with Swimming Australia is about helping our athletes reach their full potential in and out of the pool,” says Mr Mead. “We understand that it can be hard for athletes to juggle their swimming career with their studies. Our educational grants, now in their third year, are our way of trying to ease that burden.” Townsing is a final year Commerce and Information Systems student at the University of Melbourne and since breaking his neck in a snowboarding accident in 2001 has worked hard to achieve his goal of competing at the highest level both in and out of the pool. The 24-year-old sprint freestyler will compete at the FINA Arena World Cups in Europe and Singapore next month, and as well as London 2012, has firm sights on a Graduate Diploma in Environment on completing his first degree. “Thanks to this grant, I’ll be able to cover the cost of completing my degrees and hopefully achieve my dream of competing at the 2012 Olympic Games in London,” said Townsing. Fellow Victorian and University of Melbourne student Marieke Guehrer has successfully combined study and swimming in the past 12 months on way her to a World Championship gold medal in Rome and world record at last year’s FINA Arena World Cup. Guehrer is completing a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in International Politics and also wants to study French or Italian on completion of her first degree. “The money from the grant will help me to pay the fees for my current degree, and then I’m planning to enrol in a diploma of languages in French or Italian. It really means a lot to receive support for activities outside of the pool,” said Guehrer. Athens and Beijing Paralympian and captain of the Australian Paralympic team, Hannah Macdougall is also combining tertiary education with elite swimming, currently undertaking a Bachelor of Sport Science and Bachelor of Commerce at Deakin University in Melbourne. “I feel very lucky to have received this grant. It can be hard to juggle swimming with study but the money from Australian Unity will help me to pay for my tuition and books,” said Hannah. Each recipient of the Australian Unity Educational Grant will receive $6,500 for one year to assist with funding their tertiary studies.