La Trobe Elite Athlete Program off to a flyer in 2024

It's been a big start to 2024 for members of the La Trobe Elite Athlete Program (LEAP).

The LEAP program is proudly supported by TechnologyOne, and helps to identify, promote and support the needs of elite athletes studying at university by providing them with assistance and support to successfully combine their academic and sporting pursuits . The value of combining sport and higher education is well recognised across the university and sporting sectors, which is why La Trobe is committed to helping elite athletes undertaking study with the University.

View the full list of LEAP athlete achievements in the first quarter of 2024 below:

1. Tiarah Minns – Voted MVP for Round 1 of the Super W Rugby season.

2. Cody Cuthbert – Chosen to represent La Trobe & Australia at the World University Championships in Finland.

3. Lucia and Eva La Terra – Played in the National Beach Volleyball Tour (South Australian Open), finishing with a silver medal.

4. Viv Mauderer – Represented Australia U21s at the Oceania Canoe Polo Championships, winning a silver medal.

5. Sean Dempsey – Represented Australia at the World Junior 18 & Under Snooker Championships in Albania.

6.  Aimee Aharoni – Represented Australia at the Sydney International Judo Open, winning a bronze medal.

7. Michael Vonja – Been offered a professional contract at Western United at just 17 years old.

8. Kaelan Boundy – Selected to represent Victoria at the National Hockey Championships in Newcastle.

9. Kayleen Heinecke – Selected to compete in the 5k at the Victorian Masters Championships.

10. Samuel Brown - Competed at the Adelaide Spectacular Ballroom Dance Championship, winning Adult A Grade Ballroom, Adult Open Ballroom, Adult A Grade New Vogue and Adult Open New Vogue.

11. Sophie Kurzman - Became Club Sunbury & Northern Gateway Women's Champion.

12. Maddy McBrien - Got a silver medal in the Open Heptathlon at the Victorian Combine Event Championships.

13. Amy Bachmann - Competed at the 2024 Willinga Park CDI and placed second in the Medium Tour Freestyle and third in the under 25 Grand Prix Freestyle.

14. Caitlin Laird - Represented Victoria at the 2024 Open Women’s National Softball Championships.

15. Luke Zeliff - Represented Australia at the Junior World Cup and Junior World Championships in speed skating.

16. Hannah Scott - Selected for the U19s Australian Softball Squad 2024 and attended National Championships in Canberra.