Melbourne Vixens Netball Club
La Trobe University’s inaugural TEAMelbourne scholarship has been awarded to Renae Hallinan, a member of Melbourne’s newest elite sports team, the Melbourne Vixens.
Renae was delighted to win the scholarship, which will enable her to combine study with her busy training and playing schedule with the Melbourne Vixens and the 2008 Australian netball squad. She recently commenced a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at La Trobe.
In her first week, she missed out on the first few days because she was at a Netball training camp however La Trobe University is a member of the Australian Sports Commissions ‘National Network of Elite Athlete Friendly Universities’ (EAFU) which recognises the value of combining both sporting and academic aspirations. By understanding the special needs and time constraints of our athlete-students, La Trobe has adopted flexible policies in order to create a supportive environment that is conducive to the achievement of academic excellence whilst pursuing their sporting careers.
Renae said the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy will give her the opportunity to develop a career beyond netball: “My career beyond netball is almost more important than netball itself. I strive for excellence, both on and off the court and I have a dream of helping people live the most normal life possible.”
Having previously studied at a different university Renae is looking forward to her studies at La Trobe. “I like La Trobe better, it’s a much more beautiful campus” she says
TEAMelbourne CEO, Barry Gibson, said, “we are delighted that TEAMelbourne’s partnership with La Trobe has given Renae the opportunity to develop her career off the court. We look forward to continuing our support of athletes and staff from TEAMelbourne clubs over the next three years”.
About the TEAMelbourne | La Trobe University partnership
Under an agreement between TEAMelbourne and La Trobe, the university will offer two full-fee first year undergraduate scholarships to athletes and staff of TEAMelbourne clubs.
The agreement also promotes joint research, in areas such as marketing, sport science and business and access to personal and professional development courses for TM club staff and athletes. TEAMelbourne and member clubs will provide work placement opportunities for La Trobe University students in health sciences and business studies