Nina Morrison awarded inaugural den Hollander Geelong Cats AFLW Scholarship

Nina, the AFLW's number one draft pick in 2019, studies exercise and sports science at Deakin and is the first recipient of the den Hollander Geelong Cats AFLW Scholarship. The scholarship provides support to an emerging Cats AFLW player who is also studying at Deakin.

The den Hollander Geelong Cats AFLW Scholarship is a part of the larger den Hollander Scholarship Fund, a program of scholarships established in 2013 for outstanding Deakin students and privately funded by Professor and Doctor den Hollander. Since the Fund was established, 18 second and third year Deakin students – including five this year – have received assistance.

Professor den Hollander said scholarship support is core to Deakin's commitment to give back to the communities it serves.

"A scholarship can make a significant difference to students' lives, be they rising AFLW stars such as Nina or 'first in family' students," she said.

"Our scholarships are designed to create a legacy of excellence for recipients to carry with them throughout their lives, while making their time with us easier so they can focus more on their studies without stressing over finances.

"To support excellence and achievement and to support opportunity and access to university Deakin will offer more than 1600 scholarships in 2019. Our comprehensive scholarship program, funded by the University and by private donations such as the den Hollander Scholarship Fund, is one way we are encouraging people from across Australia and around the world to join the Deakin family.

"With this new AFLW Geelong Cats scholarship, Deakin is proud to support the next generation of women who are dedicated to breaking the mould in all areas of life, including sport."

Nina said she felt honoured to be the first recipient of a scholarship designed to support Deakin students who were also passionate about playing AFLW.

"This scholarship shows that Deakin is right behind its AFLW players and right behind supporting the growth of women's elite football," she said.

"The scholarship will help reduce the pressure to find lots of part time work, and that means I will have the time I need to give 100 per cent to AFLW and 100 per cent to my studies.

"It's great to have a scholarship that recognises the importance of AFLW and the importance of education – and supports both."

To learn more about supporting scholarships at Deakin, please visit: https://www.deakin.edu.au/giving-to-deakin