Deakin's Elite Athlete Friendly University (EAFU) membership
Deakin University is a member of the Elite Athlete Friendly University (EAFU) network. The network consists of the Australian Institute of Sport and State Based Institute of Sport and five professional sports. Deakin University has signed an agreement with the Australian Sports Commission to support the integration of Australian elite athletes' sporting and academic aspirations. Deakin University, as one of Australia's foremost sport universities, is dedicated to supporting elite athletes in their quest to integrate academic success with the demands of training and competition.
Read profiles of Deakin students who are part of the Elite Athlete Friendly University agreement.
Defining elite athletes
The EAFU agreement provides a specific definition of an elite athlete. For the purposes of this agreement, elite athletes attached to the network of institutes and academies of sport across Australia are on the list of registered elite athletes. This definition extends to athletes and coaches contracted to those sports and entities shown in the list below.
- Australian Institute of Sport
- State Institutes or Academies of Sport
- AFL Players Association
- Australian Cricketers Association
- Rugby Union Players Association
- Rugby League Professionals Association
- Australian Professional Footballers Association
- National senior squad members from Coach and Athlete Career and Education (CACE)-supported sport
- Coach Career Management Program
- SCOPE Program.
Support for elite athletes at Deakin University
- provision of course advice and academic planning guidance
- advocacy for the student-athlete within the University environment
- ability to negotiate assessment deadlines based on sporting related commitments
- ability to negotiate attendance at lectures and tutorials (if practical) where student-athlete is unavailable due to sporting commitments
- provision of support for cross-institutional studies where possible
- ability to tailor academic study load to integrate with sporting commitments
- ability to extend maximum time to complete course due to periods of decreased study load
- ability to take several leaves of absence if required due to increased sporting commitments
- ability to take advantage of Deakin University's expertise as an off-campus educator to progress studies during times of training and competition travel.
To ensure integration of studies with competition demands, elite athletes are encouraged to communicate directly with the course coordinators and unit lecturers at the commencement of each trimester. Establishing dialogue with staff early in the trimester and outlining training and playing schedules will enhance the opportunity for staff to take advantage of Deakin's flexible and innovative approach to its teaching. In the event that problems arise when trying to plan a schedule of attendance, assignment submission and exam completion with course coordinators and lecturers in the first instance, elite athletes should contact Professor David Shilbury to discuss the issues.
Contact
Professor David Shilbury
Chair, Sport Management
School of Management and Marketing
david.shilbury@deakin.edu.au
03 9244 6164
