Congratulations to VU’s 2018 elite athlete graduates

Victoria University is proud to announce that 15 of its talented elite athlete students will graduate this week.

Wednesday 12 December 2018

Victoria University is proud to announce that 15 of its talented elite athlete students will graduate this week.

Olympians, world champion athletes and competitors from various elite sporting codes, are among the 2000 graduates who completed a range of courses from both VU and VU Polytechnic.

Champion snowboarder and 2017 VU Female Athlete of the Year Lauren Staveley is graduating from the Bachelor of Sport Science (Human Movement)/Bachelor of Psychological Studies.

Lauren has received both a VU emerging elite scholarship and an aspiring elite sport scholarship.

“I made use of the many services VU offers elite athletes, like the gym, assistance with my workload and financial grants,” Lauren says.

“All of these benefits made juggling university and professional snowboarding manageable. This removed some of the pressure so I could excel in both my schooling and sport.”

For elite sportspeople, gaining an education is critical, not only for ensuring successful careers after sport, but to enhance their lives while they’re playing. Thanks to VU’s elite athlete program, students are able to successfully complete their studies while training and competing at an elite level.

Mitch Wallis graduating with his first degree.

Western Bulldogs midfielder Mitch Wallis joins his father Steve as both a VU alum and qualified accountant.

“I know that footy doesn’t last forever and I’m looking to VU to set me up for life after footy,” says Mitch, who’s completing his Bachelor of Business. “My long-term goal is to own a business myself.”

Dual Paralympic medallist and world-record holding shot-putter Todd Hodgetts OAM is completing his Diploma of Remedial Massage this week. Todd plans to continue his studies next year with an Advanced Diploma of Myotherapy.

“VU was flexible and the teachers supported me so I could successfully train, compete and work while I studied,” Todd says.

“My course was really hands-on, so all the skills are fully ingrained. Having studied at two other institutions interstate, VU has the best course structure and athlete-friendly program.”