UniSQ’s sporting stars awarded Elite Athlete Scholarships

From the cycling track to the swimming pool, tennis court and rugby field, four talented University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) students are proving there is no limit to what can be achieved when academic ambition meets sporting excellence.

Cyclist Joshua Cranage, swimmer Sienna Deurloo, tennis player Flynn Coventry-Searle and rugby player Alana Grace have been named this year’s UniSQ Elite Athlete Scholarship recipients, each receiving $5,000 to help balance the demands of high-level competition with their university studies.

For Joshua, who is studying surveying, the scholarship is recognition of the commitment required to pursue both academic and sporting goals.

“Being awarded the UniSQ Elite Athlete Scholarship is a great honour,” he said.

“It is not always easy to manage my sporting career with my academic career, so getting this award to recognise the hard work that goes in behind the scenes is motivating for me to continue putting in the work.”

The cyclist’s greatest achievement to date was winning the Australian U19 Road Race Championships in 2023, which helped launch his European campaign and earned him selection on the Australian team for the UCI World Championships in Glasgow.

His goal is to continue progressing through the sport and secure a place riding on the world tour.

Sienna, who is studying education, has represented Australia in open water swimming World Cup events and is a three-time UniSport national swimming champion while proudly representing UniSQ.

“I feel genuinely honoured and privileged to be awarded this scholarship,” she said.

“The University’s unwavering belief in my academic and sporting endeavours allows me to continue pursuing both areas with focus and confidence.”

The scholarship will also support 16-year-old tennis player Flynn, who is studying a Bachelor of Science, as he continues to impress on the international tennis circuit.

Flynn is the only Australian player from his birth year to date to achieve a professional men’s ranking point and has already won national and international junior titles.

“This scholarship represents to me the belief by UniSQ in my future success – both in my tennis and academically,” he said.

“UniSQ has helped me harmonise my studies with my tennis commitments, allowing me to pursue both pathways to the best of my ability.”

Alana, who is studying paramedicine, has represented the Philippines in rugby, and the scholarship has provided valuable support as she works towards returning to the field following a year-long recovery from a knee injury.

“Being awarded this scholarship makes me feel truly seen and heard,” Alana said.

“It is a reminder that hard work in both the classroom and on the field does pay off.”

Alana’s sporting highlight was winning the Asia Rugby Trophy Series in Kathmandu, Nepal, where her team secured promotion to the top league.

The scholarship recipients are part of UniSQ’s Elite Athlete Program, which supports students competing at state, national and international levels while undertaking university study.

The program helps student athletes manage the challenges of balancing elite sport with study, offering flexible learning, academic planning, and access to resources.