Sporting Scholarship Supporters

Soccer

Adam Spencer has a long and distinguished association with the University and Sydney Uni Sport. An alumnus of the University and past Member of Senate, Adam has for many years acted as the MC/panel moderator at many Sydney Uni Sport and ‘Blue & Gold’ events. Adam has also successfully coached Sydney University Soccer Football Club (SUSFC) teams.

The Adam Spencer Scholarship was established in 2011 for a female SUSFC member who is in the Elite Athlete Program.

Athletics

Aleksandra migrated to Australia as a refugee with her family in 1998 from Croatia. She is a Bachelor of Economics and Master of Commerce graduate of the University. Aleksandra was subsequently admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the High Court of Australia. During her undergraduate years, Aleksandra competed for Sydney University Athletics Club as a distance runner.

The Aleksandra Pozder Scholarship was established in 2010 and is awarded annually to an emerging athlete in track or field.

Tennis, Squash or Table Tennis

The late Allan Kendall was an outstanding lawn tennis, squash and table tennis player in the late 1940s and throughout the 1950s. A Blue in all three sports, Allan toured the world playing tennis at the elite level, being in the Wimbledon draw on numerous occasions.

The Allan Kendall Scholarship was established in 2011 and is awarded annually to a St. Andrew’s College undergraduate resident, who is a member of the Elite Athlete Program and specialises in tennis, squash, or table tennis.

Various

The ‘Blue & Gold’ Club is a coterie of sporting alumni and supporters of sport at Sydney Uni. Throughout the year, they attend a variety of sporting functions with a difference. Large doses of university wit are an integral part of all ‘Blue & Gold’ sporting functions. All monies raised at these functions fund the promotion of sport at Sydney Uni.

Established in 2001, two ‘Blue & Gold’ Club Scholarships are awarded annually to students at the University who are members of the Elite Athlete Program.

Various

The Sydney University Blues Association is made up of sportsmen and sportswomen who have been awarded Blues or Golds for their outstanding sporting achievements.

First awarded in 2011, three Sydney University Blues Association Scholarships are presented annually to outstanding student athletes of the Elite Athlete Program.

Brian joined Sydney University Hockey Club (SUHC) in 1988 as a graduate from ANU, playing 507 games for the Club. To this day, he remains the second highest goal scorer for the Club (in both men and women at 192 goals). Brian is also a three-time premiership player with an expansive representative career as an Australian 45s player and with the NSW Men’s Masters. Off the field, Brian continues to be a wonderful contributor to the Club and hockey.

Established in 2021, the Brian Fitzpatrick Scholarship is awarded annually to an outstanding SUHC player who is a student at the University and a member of the Elite Athlete Program.

Various

Bruce Ross came to Sydney University in 1973 and lectured in Economics for the next 28 years. Bruce was first elected to the Sydney University Sports Union (the forerunner of Sydney Uni Sport) management committee as a Senate representative in 1990. The following year he became the 39th President of the Sydney University Sports Union since its foundation in 1890. This was an honorary position, which Bruce fulfilled with great distinction for twenty-six consecutive years.

First presented in 2018 two Bruce Ross Scholarships are awarded annually to a student athlete from any sporting discipline who is a member of the Elite Athlete Program.

Rugby

The Buildcorp Group provides commercial construction solutions throughout the property lifecycle. Buildcorp’s services include new construction, fit-out, remedial building, joinery, remediation, and heavy industrial works. Buildcorp takes great pride in being a business of reputable character; committed to their values and dedicated to building not only great projects, but long-lasting relationships. Buildcorp has been the naming rights sponsor of Sydney University Football Club for more than 30 years.

The Buildcorp Scholarship was awarded for the first time in 2011 and is presented annually to an emerging rugby player who is studying a discipline relevant to Buildcorp.

Olympic Sports

As a leading private health insurer, BUPA aims to help all Australians live longer, healthier, and happier lives. In keeping with their core values, BUPA is a sponsor of Sydney Uni Sport.

Established in 2007, three BUPA Scholarships are awarded annually to Elite Athlete Program members in Olympic and Paralympic sports.

Athletics

Cheryl and David Collins were both awarded Blues in track and field athletics when they were students at the University. Cheryl went on to represent Australia at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, where she was a semi-finalist in the 800m and finalist in the 4x400m relay.

The Collins/Peasley Scholarship was established in 2008 and is awarded annually to the most deserved track or field athlete.

Various

CommBank has a strong commitment to promote social, economic, and financial inclusion for Australia’s First Peoples and is determined to provide outstanding educational support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

First awarded in 2018, the CommBank Scholarship is presented annually to a student who is a member of the Elite Athlete Program and identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

Various (Women’s)

Proud alumni of the University, Annie Corlett AM & R. Bruce Corlett AM each have impressive careers in professional business and the not-for-profit sector and are long-time supporters of Sydney University sport.

First awarded in 2017, the Corlett Family Scholarship is presented annually to a female student athlete who is a member of the Elite Athlete Program.

Rugby League

This scholarship was established in memory of the late Dave Chadwick who passed away in 2016. Dave was a very talented player with Sydney University Rugby League Football Club. He was awarded a Blue in Rugby League in 1964 and was a driving force behind the Club from 1962. He was involved with the Club for over 50 years as a player, coach, administrator and as a highly respected clubman.

Awarded for the first time in 2017 the David Chadwick Scholarship is awarded annually to a men’s first grade SURLFC player who is studying at the University and is a member of the Elite Athlete Program.

Baseball

David Hynes is a graduate of the University in both Economics and Law. He was one of the first recipients of a Sydney University sporting scholarship in 1990. He was named the Sportsman of the Year in 1992 and received his Blue for Baseball in 1993. David then became Sydney Uni’s first ever Olympian in Baseball at the 1996 Atlanta Games. His administrative career culminated in his appointment as the President of Baseball Australia.

Established in 2020, the David Hynes Scholarship is awarded annually to a men’s baseball player who is studying at the University and is a member of the Elite Athlete Program.

Various (Women’s)

Dr Margaret Tyrrell named this sporting scholarship after her good friend, Elsie Harris. Elsie was a fine all-round Sydney University sportswoman, who particularly excelled at both golf and croquet.

First awarded in 2019, the Elsie Harris Scholarship is awarded annually to a female student athlete who is a member of the Elite Athlete Program.

Various

Enrizen provides support for businesses of all shapes and sizes in the form of highly professional advice on financial planning and investment; on insurance; on legal rights, obligations and entitlements; on taxation and accounting. Enrizen’s Managing Director is Trent Franklin – a dual Water Polo Olympian and a former Elite Athlete Program member when studying at the University and playing a record number of games in the National League for the Sydney University Lions Water Polo team.

Established in 2019, the Enrizen Scholarship is awarded annually to an Elite Athlete Program member of any sport, who has at least a credit average in specified degrees that are aligned with Enrizen’s business interests.

Professor Gavin Brown AO was Vice-Chancellor and Fellow of Senate of The University of Sydney from 1996 to 2008. He implemented major improvements in funding, research, and infrastructure development. This included initiating the then largest capital program ever undertaken by an Australian university leading to the new Law School, the IT building, the Jane Foss Russell Building for student services, a student accommodation in Sydney University Village and a multi-million-dollar restoration and refurbishment of heritage buildings.

First presented in 2021, the Gavin Brown Scholarship is awarded annually to an outstanding student athlete at discretion of the Elite Athlete Program.

Australian Rules Football (Men’s)

For 27 years, the late Harvey “Banger” Gordon was the Sydney University Australian National Football Club’s (SUANFC) number one supporter, trainer, strapper, water boy, fruit cutter, provider of chewing gum and jelly snakes, finder of lost property, guardian of valuables, mixer of cordial, photographer, drinking buddy, storyteller, cook, companion, and friend. His reward was the mateship, love, respect and camaraderie of the hundreds of young men and women he met over almost three decades of outstanding service to SUANFC.

The Harvey Gordon Scholarship is awarded to talented student-players, who also make significant contributions to the enrichment of SUANFC as a community.

Athletics

Jack Pross (1919 – 2006) was for many years the very successful coach of the Sydney University Athletics Club. He was appointed coach to two Australian Commonwealth Games teams (1966 and 1970), two World Indoor Championships (1985 and 1987) and two World Cross Country Championships. This scholarship was established in honour of Jack’s memory by Gordon and Christine Windeyer who both represented Sydney University and were both coached by Jack. Gordon won gold in the high jump at the 1974 Commonwealth Games. Christine was also an accomplished high jumper, winning NSW and Australian Junior titles.

Established in 2012, the Jack Pross OAM Scholarship is awarded to a member of the Elite Athlete Program for track and field athletics, from a rural or regional area.

Rowing

Jane Spring had a remarkable career as a Sydney University rower and rowing administrator. Jane was both a NSW representative rower and an Australian champion. She was awarded a Blue for Rowing in 1989. Jane was also the President and driving force behind the Sydney University Women’s Rowing Club from 1988 to 2010. Indeed, University oarswomen, from novices to Olympic medallists and world champions, have benefited from Jane’s generosity, guidance, and support over many years. Jane is a Life Member of the Sydney University Boat Club and was a member of The University of Sydney Senate from 2009 to 2013.

First presented in 2018, the Jane Spring Scholarship is awarded annually to a rower who is a member of Elite Athlete Program.

Various (Women’s)

Jenny Lawler was a long-serving member of Sydney Uni Sport staff. From 1991, when she first joined as the executive assistant to the SUSWA Director, through her many years in the finance department helping Sydney University sporting clubs and the operations team, and right up until her last days in 2021 in her capacity as the executive assistant to the Sydney Uni Sport’s CEO, Jenny’s love and dedication to Sydney Uni Sport, its clubs and its student athletes never waned. Jenny closely followed the results of all sporting clubs and athletes, and she had an encyclopaedic memory in knowing everyone within Sydney Uni Sport, both past and present.

First awarded in 2022, the Jenny Lawler Scholarship is presented to a female student athlete of the Elite Athlete Program who demonstrates the same sporting passion as Jenny did.

Tennis

As a junior, Kaye Dening AM was a prodigiously talented young tennis player, who won the Junior Titles at the Australian, French, US and Italian Open Championships and reached the final of Junior Wimbledon. She was ranked the Nº 1 Junior in the world. Kaye was an Economics graduate of the University, who received her Blue for Lawn Tennis in 1964.

The Kaye Dening AM Scholarship, first awarded in 2007, is presented to an undergraduate tennis player studying at The University of Sydney.

Soccer

Michael Luciano was a member of Sydney University Soccer Football Club’s first grade team in 2000. An Economics graduate of The University of Sydney, Michael also played for the esteemed U16, U17 and U18 academy teams at former national league clubs Sydney Olympic and Sydney United where he played with Socceroo’s Tim Cahill, Nick Carle, Nick Rizzo, Joel Griffiths and Croatian international Anthony Seric.

First awarded in 2019, the Michael Luciano Scholarship is presented annually to a soccer player and student athlete who is a member of the Elite Athlete Program. In seven out of every ten years, the recipient will be a male and, in at least five of every ten years, the recipient will have received their secondary education in a state or government school.

Cricket

This scholarship was established in memory of the late Mick O’Sullivan, whose career with Sydney University Cricket Club (SUCC) spanned four decades. His tally of 622 1^st Grade wickets is a Club record. At the time of his passing in 2013, Mick had been Chairman of the Club’s Board for nine years.

First awarded in 2017, the Mick O’Sullivan Scholarship is presented annually to a promising male spin bowler who is playing for SUCC, is studying at the University and is a member of the Elite Athlete Program.

Hockey & Cricket (Women’s)

Dr Margaret Tyrrell received a Blue for Hockey in 1953 and generously established the Mollie Dive OAM Scholarships for women’s Cricket and Hockey. Mollie, a Science graduate, was one of Sydney University’s champion cricket and hockey players of the 1930s. She captained the Australian team that had the first ever Ashes win over England in 1948-49 and was associated with Sydney University Women’s Sports Association for fifty years.

Established in 2010, two Mollie Dive OAM Scholarships are annually awarded to outstanding female members of the Elite Athlete Program studying at the University; one to a cricket player and the other to a hockey player.

Athletics

The late Dr Philip Rundle was a 100-yard specialist sprinter who also scored many tries as a winger with Sydney University Football Club. He was awarded a Blue for Athletics in 1941. This scholarship was kindly established by Dr Rundle’s family.

First awarded in 2003, the Philip Rundle Scholarship is presented annually to an outstanding student member of the Sydney University Athletics Club.

Basketball (Women’s)

Ralph’s Café has been operating on campus since 1984. Owners Rose, the late Ralph Panebianco, and their family, have been long-time supporters of sport on campus, particularly the Sydney Uni Flames WNBL team.

Established in 2009, the Ralph’s Café/Panebianco Scholarship is awarded annually to an emerging young women’s basketball player.

Soccer

Dr Ray Hyslop OAM received a Blue for Soccer in 1955 and was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for service to medicine in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology, particularly as an administrator and educator.

Established in 2003 the Ray Hyslop OAM Scholarship is presented to an outstanding Sydney University Soccer Football Club player, who is also a student in the fields of Medicine, Dentistry or Health Sciences.

Cricket (Men’s)

The late Richard Curtis Mesley was a very stylish First Grade batsman and a superb fielder during his eight seasons at Sydney University Cricket Club in the late 1960s and 1970s. A Civil/Structural Engineering graduate of the University, Dick had a very strong philanthropic bent and was a foundation member of The Primary Club of Australia – a cricketing-based charity which provides sporting and recreational facilities for people with disabilities. This scholarship was established in memory of Dick who passed away in 2013.

Awarded for the first time in 2018, the RC Mesley Scholarship is awarded annually to a promising male cricketer who is playing for SUCC, is studying at the University and is a member of the Elite Athlete Program.

Various

Rob Smithies served as Sydney Uni Sport’s Operations Manager from 2004 and was appointed Executive Director in January 2008, a position he held until December 2019. Rob was instrumental in delivering over $40m in new sporting infrastructure to Sydney University, including the extension of the Sydney University Sports & Aquatic Centre, the Sydney Uni Football Ground & Grandstand, the Thyne Reid Boathouse, and the Bruce Pryor Hockey Field. A graduate of Marquette University and The University of Sydney, and a Blue in Soccer, Rob was the first Sydney University Soccer Football Club player to be awarded a sporting scholarship.

First presented in 2020, the Rob Smithies Scholarship is awarded annually to a student athlete of the Elite Athlete Program who is representing their Sydney Uni Sport-affiliated club at its most senior level.

Aussie Rules Football (Men’s)

A long-time member of Sydney University Australian National Football Club (SUANFC), ‘Tubbsy’ was a Club Best & Fairest winner and consistently polled votes in the NSWAFL’s Best & Fairest medal. He performed Club and NSWAFL committee roles throughout his playing days and was awarded a Blue for Australian Football. In 1969, he captained and coached the Club’s senior side to an inaugural premiership victory. From 1997 to 2017 he was Sydney Uni Sport’s Corporate & Alumni Relations Manager, staging annual ‘Blue & Gold’ luncheons for various sports.

First awarded in 2020, the Rodney Tubbs Scholarship is presented annually to a male Australian Football player selected in the Elite Athlete Program and playing in SUANFC’s most senior team.

Baseball

Ron’s playing career at Sydney University Baseball Club (SUBC) involved seventeen First Grade seasons as an outstanding catcher. He represented NSW, was selected in the ‘All Australian Intervarsity’ team, and was awarded a Blue for Baseball in 1972. Jennie was a tireless SUBC scorer and with Ron, was the force behind the Club’s social program in an exciting era when Sydney Uni were First Grade premiers. Ron went on to coach SUBC sides and was the Club’s President for sixteen years (receiving a Gold Award in 1985). He subsequently became the President of both Baseball Australia and the Baseball Confederation of Oceania, representing Australia at meetings of the International Baseball Federation. In June 2015 Ron received an AM for services, amongst other things, to the sport of baseball.

Established in 2020, the Ron and Jennie Finlay Scholarship is awarded annually to a promising baseballer who is playing for SUBC, is studying at the University and is a member of the Elite Athlete Program.

Baseball

Ronald Rushbrooke, a Blue for Baseball, was a former player, president, coach, and patron of Sydney University Baseball Club. In honour of his contribution to baseball, the Ron Rushbrooke Fund was established following his passing in 2004.

First awarded in 2010, the Ron Rushbrooke Scholarship is awarded annually to a Sydney University Baseball Club member who has made significant on and off-field contributions.

Various

Ross Brown AM is a Pharmacy graduate of the University. He was a Foundation Governor of the Pharmacy Foundation and a former President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. Ross has long been a tireless ambassador for the University and the Faculty of Pharmacy. He was made an Honorary Fellow of the University in 2009.

The Ross Brown AM Scholarship was established in 2011 and is awarded annually for a sportsperson who is in the Elite Athlete Program and who is studying Pharmacy or an associated discipline.

Soccer

As a freshman, Warrick Segal joined Sydney University Soccer Football Club in 1998. During his first competitive game for the Club, he collapsed on the field and later he tragically passed away in hospital. Warrick’s parents, John and Joan, established the Warrick Segal Memorial Scholarship.

First awarded in 2002, the Warrick Segal Memorial Scholarship is presented annually to a promising student player from the elite squad.

The University of Sydney Business School is a world-class business school at the forefront of global business and management education. They offer students access to industry partners and the broader business community with an emphasis on the clear vision of business today. Their people are industry leaders, dedicated to the highest quality teaching and to ground-breaking research, with a passion for creating tomorrow’s world business leaders.

For several years, this partnership (co-funded by Sydney Uni Sport and the Business School) has offered support to high-achieving candidates who are Elite Athlete Program members and enrolled in a Business School degree.

The residential colleges within The University of Sydney provide wonderful places for Sydney Uni student athletes to call home. They provide environments that facilitate learning and growth and support student athletes to develop important qualities that translate into their academic and sporting achievements.

Joint scholarships (co-funded by Sydney Uni Sport and the residential colleges) are offered to eligible members of the Elite Athlete Program who reside at a residential college.