EAPP dinner honours high flyers

ACU Chancellor the Honourable John Fahey AC, GCSG commended ACU's Elite Athlete and Performer Program at a dinner to celebrate its members' achievements in 2019.

An INAS Global Games rowing champion, a World Junior Swimming Championships bronze medallist and the first woman to win the 100m-long jump double at the Australian athletics titles were among the high achievers at the Chancellors Elite Athletes and Performers dinner.

The selection pathway towards the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games was a conversation starter at The Peter Cosgrove Centre as guests celebrated the achievements over the past year of the Elite Athlete and Performer Program (EAPP) members.

The EAPP supports more than 400 students to balance their academic and performance dreams.

“Elite athletes who study at ACU consistently show it is possible to excel in both of these domains,” Chancellor the Honourable John Fahey AC, GCSG, said.

“At ACU, one of our core values is to support the pursuit of knowledge. We see the importance in encouraging your efforts to pursue knowledge while forging ahead with your performance and sporting careers.

“His Holiness Pope Francis has described sport as ‘a human activity of great value, able to enrich people’s lives’. It is clear the path you have chosen will enrich your lives. But just as importantly, it has the potential to enrich the lives of others.”

For almost two decades the EAPP has provided academic, timetabling and scholarship backing for a diverse range of student athletes and performers.

In 2016, eight ACU students represented Australia at the Olympics. Two years later, at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, 13 students wore green and gold.

Among the most storied graduates of the program was Australian cricket captain Meg Lanning who this year completed a Bachelor of Exercise and Health Science degree.

Physiotherapy student and national long jump champion Naa Anang chats with Director, Student Engagement and Services Paul McJannett as the guests enjoy the EAPP dinner.

EAPP students with ACU Chancellor the Honourable John Fahey AC, GCSG.