Invite a UniSC high performance student athlete to your school to inspire your students. Through relatable, real-life stories, athletes share how they've developed resilience, communication, and time management skills. Students will hear first-hand how they can balance studies with sport, and learn that success comes in many forms.
Presentation themes
Balancing act: Navigating university life and elite sport
Juggling the demands of academic success and elite-level sport is no small achievement. This presentation explores practical strategies for managing time, maintaining focus, setting priorities and building a support system that helps you thrive.
Building resilience: The mindset of an elite athlete
Discover the mental tools elite athletes use to overcome setbacks, stay motivated, and perform under pressure. This session offers insights into goal-setting, self-talk, and the power of persistence.
Becoming the best version of yourself
Success in sport and life starts with self-awareness and growth. The session encourages students to reflect on their values, strengths, and aspirations. Learn how to develop habits that support personal development and build confidence to fulfil your potential.
Career pathways in sport and study
Where can sport take you? This session explores the diverse career opportunities available to student-athletes and shows how you can align your passions with study, for a future that's both fulfilling and sustainable.
Fees
Sessions are A$70 per hour
Meet our speakers
Keely Andrew
Age: 30
Sport: Surfing
Study program: Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology
Why did you choose UniSC? I grew up on the Sunshine Coast and there's no way I could leave to go anywhere else to study. The High-Performance Student Athlete Program played a major role in my decision too, as I was on the road travelling and competing.
Sporting highlights so far:
- World Number 2 female surfer - March 2018
- First El Salvador Pro - WSL WQS event 2016
- First Taranaki Pro - WSL WQS event 2015
- Second place Swatch Women's Pro - WSL WCT event 2017
- Second place Roxy Pro, Gold Coast - WSL WCT event 2018
- Second place El Salvador Pro - WSL WQS event 2015
- Third place Rio Pro - WSL WCT event 2019
Career goals: Encourage the healthy and unhealthy population to live an active lifestyle through movement.
Study routine: Study every day and when I can.
Fun fact: I love everything sport!
Matt Lamb
Age: 21
Sport: Swimming (Freestyle)
Study program: Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science
Why did you choose UniSC? I came to the Sunshine Coast to chase my goal of being an Olympian.
Training routine: 9 x per week swim, 3 x gym, 2 x spin bike, 2 x core.
Career goals: I would love to complete a Masters in teaching or management after I complete my current degree!
Fun fact: I come from two generations of Olympic swimmers!
Mia Cook
Age: 18
Sport: Surf Lifesaving (Ironwomen)
Study program: Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)
Why did you choose UniSC? I was always interested in studying Physiotherapy as I am heavily involved in sport. Luckily, UniSC started a physio program in 2025, so I thought it would be a great opportunity to be able to study close to where I live, as well as the high performance program that was offered to student athletes.
Sporting goals: To one day race in the Coolangatta Gold and continue competing in the Iron Series.
Training routine: Training for a multidisciplinary sport can be challenging, however, I train roughly 2-3 times a day, 6 days a week where I am able to have a rest day on Sunday. These sessions include swimming in the morning followed by a gym or run session, and training on board/ ski in the afternoon.
Sporting highlight so far: I debuted in the Shaw and Partners Iron Series this year, and I ended up placing 13th overall.
Career goals: To complete my physio degree and become an accredited physiotherapist!
Study routine: As I train morning and night, most of my Uni classes are in the morning, which allows me to complete additional study throughout the day.
Fun fact: I recently moved to the Sunshine Coast from a small coastal town in the southwest of Victoria!
Henry Simpson
Age: 19
Sport: Surf Lifesaving
Study program: Bachelor of Medical Science (Provisional Entry into Doctor of Medicine)
Why did you choose UniSC? The University is local and has a brilliant reputation. It allows me to stay on the Sunshine Coast and still compete for Alex Heads Surf Club, whilst also getting me one step closer to becoming a Doctor.
Sporting goals: To regain qualification into the 2025/26 Professional Iron Series; To win my first open medal at Australian Champs as a first year Open Competitor.
Training routine: 5 swim sessions, 3 Ski Sessions, 2 Board Sessions, 1 Iron Sessions, 2 Runs, 3 Gyms (5 in the Offseason).
Sporting highlights so far: Representing Australia and my surf club at Youth World Champs at winning 15 medals (8 Gold, 2 Silver, 5 Bronze), Qualifying for the 2024/25 Professional Iron Series as an U19 Competitor.
Career goals: Become a Doctor and specialise in a field of my choice that I will decide once I have done my round within placement.
Study routine: Do as much as I can when I have free time and utilise my weekends to stay ahead of my studies rather than playing catch up. Organisation is the key.
Fun fact: My brother is a Paralympic Gold Medallist - Swimming (P.S. He is younger than me!).
Yves Chee
Age: 20
Sport: Netball
Study program: Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Criminology and Justice
Why did you choose UniSC? The appeal of the integration of sport and study was very inviting along with the amazing facilities I got to encounter through Sunshine Coast Thunder Netball. This along with the stress-free early entry process made it a no brainer.
Training routine: Tuesday and Thursdays morning (6:15-7:30am (gym)) and afternoon (5:45-8:00pm (court session)) along with game days on the weekend. In addition to this, travel takes a lot of time as I live in Brisbane and my netball is based on the Sunshine Coast.
Sporting highlight so far: Played for Sunshine Coast Thunder Ruby team for three years and captained it for the past two years. I also had my debut for the PNG national team in 2023 and have travelled to numerous countries through this pathway including Singapore, Hong Kong and the Solomon Islands where I competed in the 2023 Pacific Games.
Career goals: To inspire young boys and girls to take up netball but also to remember that you can also be a successful human as well as athlete.
Study routine: Other than the four, 2-hour classes I attend at the Moreton Bay campus I manage my time very diligently as I am a full-time student. This includes late nights and full days.
Fun fact: You wouldn’t want to sit next to me on the bench for a netball game because I make noises to urge the ball on and never sit still!
Gisele Sinclair
Age: 18
Sport: Surfing
Study program: Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)
Why did you choose UniSC? I chose to study at UniSC because it’s conveniently located close to home, which means I didn’t have to move out. The flexibility of university with my training and competition schedules has been a great advantage, allowing me to balance my academic and athletic commitments. Being part of the High-Performance Student Athlete (HPSA) program has provided the support I need to pursue both my education and my surfing career, with access to excellent facilities like the gym where I train.
Sporting goals: I aim to compete on the World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) Tour both nationally and internationally. Ultimately, my goal is to continue enjoying my surfing while striving to improve and compete at the highest level.
Training routine: My training schedule includes surfing most mornings or engaging in other forms of exercise to keep my body active. I also train weekly with my surfing coach, Graham Endersby, and train at the UniSC High Performance gym twice a week to maintain my fitness.
Sporting highlight so far: A key moment in my sporting journey was finishing 12th out of 63 junior women in the WSL Junior Tour, which motivated me to push myself further in my pursuit of competitive surfing.
Career goals: My long-term career goal is to work as a physiotherapist on the Sunshine Coast. I plan to gain experience across different settings and clients, eventually working with Olympic teams or the World Surf League. One of my ultimate aspirations is to compete on the WSL Championship Tour.
Study routine: Balancing training, work, and studies, I dedicate 3-6 hours each day to coursework, exam preparation, and assignments to stay on top of my studies.
Fun fact: During Year 12, when a classmate accidentally burnt toast and set off the fire alarm, I mistakenly locked the Year 12 cohort in our common room, thinking it was a lockdown drill. We were stuck in there until a teacher eventually unlocked the door.
Bradley McDonald
Age: 19
Sport: Australian Football (AFL)
Study program: Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) (Honours)
Why did you choose UniSC? Convenience of living from home. As well as the benefits and facilities of the university and the HPSA so that I can achieve my goals in university and sport. Supportive environment of the HPSA with student/athlete life.
Sporting goals: Professional AFL Player, Play a Professional AFL Game.
Training routine:
- Monday (2pm-Late) - Training Skills, Gym, Rehab, Recovery
- Tuesday (7am-2pm) - Main Field Training, Gym, Recovery
- Wednesday (7am-8am) - Gym Rehab/Injury Prevention, Recovery
- Thursday (7am-2pm) - Main Field Training, Gym, Recovery
- Friday (All day) - Captains Run/Skills session, Recovery, Fly with Team
- Saturday (All day) - Game Day, Fly Home
- Sunday (Day off) - Recovery and Relax
Sporting highlight so far: Captain of the Brisbane Lions Academy, AFL Futures Curtain Raiser to AFL Grand Final on MCG, Brisbane Lions VFL Preliminary Final, AFL Preseason, Allies National Championship.
Career goals: Set my life up for after sport, successful engineering career, healthy work life balance.
Study routine:
- Tuesday (2pm- Late) - University and Study
- Wednesday (8am-10am) University
- Anytime between sport study as much as possible.
Fun fact: I played on the MCG on Grand Final Day!
Jenna Jones
Age: 24
Sport: Paralympic Swimming (100m Backstroke, 100m Breaststroke)
Study program: Diploma in Social and Human Services
Why did you choose UniSC? I initially moved to UniSC for the incredible swimming program it offered.
Sporting goals: To compete at three Paralympic Games.
Training routine: I train over 30 hours a week. This includes, 9 2-hour swim sessions, 3 1-hour gym sessions, 3 half an hour spin session's per week.
Sporting highlights so far: Representing Australia at the 2016 Rio Paralympics and the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
Career goals: My career goal is to be a Child Counsellor to help set children up with the right tools for them to succeed in life no matter what they have gone through.
Study routine:
- Monday: Study at home between training sessions
- Tuesday: Class then 1-hour study between training sessions
- Wednesday: Class then study for 4 hours
- Thursday: 2-hour study between training sessions
- Friday: 4-hour study
Fun fact: I compete in a dog sport with my Australian Shepard.
Contact Sport for Thought
Jocelyn Elliott
Sport for Thought Manager
Email: JElliott1@usc.edu.au