Minerva Network athletes Georgie Rowe, Jada Whyman and Aimee Fisher are taking advantage of the 2022 Minerva Scholarship Program to maximise their potential on and off the field.
All three athletes have had a successful 2022, both in the classroom and in their chosen sports, and are benefitting from the financial and mentoring support the Minerva Scholarship Program provides.
Christine McLoughlin AM, Chairman and Co-Founder of the Minerva Network said she was proud to see Minerva athletes flourishing. “The Minerva Network is all about supporting and empowering elite sportswomen to achieve their potential on and off the field,” Ms McLoughlin added. “We understand the challenges our athletes face, and the huge commitment elite sportswomen make to juggle training, competition, working to pay the bills and studying for their education.” “This is why we are thrilled to see the program contributing to the lives of these young women in a meaningful way and enabling them to do what they love.” “On behalf of the entire Minerva Network team, I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate our 2022 Minerva Scholarship recipients on a successful year and I look forward to continuing to watch them grow and achieve into the future.”
Launched in September 2020, the Minerva Scholarship Program is open to Australia’s elite and professional level women athletes who would benefit from financial support to complete or commence an Australian-certified higher education or vocational qualification.
Georgie Rowe, 28, is an Australian rower and grew up on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Georgie’s scholarship, the Torrens University Minerva Scholarship, has fully funded her university fees since the commencement of her degree in 2021 and will continue to do so for the remainder of her degree. Georgie is pursuing a Master of Business Administration and Master of Public Health and achieved a number of high distinctions in her studies this year. At the same time, Georgie and her team set a new world record and took out first place at the World Rowing Cup 3 in Switzerland earlier this year in the w8 event. Reflecting on the year, Georgie was thrilled to have tasted success on and off the water. “This year I managed to finish four subjects, which means I’m now halfway through my double masters,” Georgie said. “So far, I’ve been able to balance the study and assessments well. The tutors and university staff are all understanding of my situation and very helpful.” “Our training volume has been increasing to an all-time high over the last few months so having the scholarship helps to alleviate a lot the stress of working to fund a university degree with an already full schedule.” “I’m incredibly grateful for the support of the Minerva Network, which has really set me up to succeed on and off the water.”
Newcastle-based para-athlete, Aimee Fisher, is this year’s recipient of the Newcastle Knights and Wests Group Minerva Scholarship. The 12-month scholarship has assisted Aimee pursue her career in athletics, whilst also maintaining her studies. Aimee is completing a Bachelor of Medical Sonography at the Sydney campus of Central Queensland University. She has now finished the necessary theory units for the Bachelor component of her degree, as well as her second block of clinical placement, which she enjoyed immensely. Aimee is looking forward to graduating next year, as well as an exciting year ahead on the track. “Next year I will complete another 35 weeks of clinical placement along with two research units as part of the Graduate Diploma component,” Aimee said. “Heading into the 2023 season we have begun to discuss performance plans surrounding the pathway to the 2023 World Championships and the 2024 Paralympic Games. I’m training towards our first competition in January with the goal of bringing my PB down closer to a qualifying time.”
Jada Whyman is the inaugural Sydney Roosters and Easts Group Scholarship recipient. Jada is undertaking a Bachelor of Commerce at Sydney University whilst also a member of the Matildas squad and goalkeeper for Sydney FC, who made the Grand Final of the A-League Women in March. Jada is currently awaiting her latest university results but, regardless of the outcome, feels she has already had a successful year. “I found myself feeling more confident to participate within tutorials, which was one of my goals this semester,” Jada said. She also enjoyed the opportunities to connect with other female athletes through the Minerva Network. “I had the pleasure of meeting the Roosters NRLW squad and watching a game of NRL with them. It was awesome to connect with them and speak about the similarities in the areas of our sports that need improvement.”
The Minerva Network is proud to support these inspiring and hardworking athletes as they continue their elite sporting journeys and prepare for their future careers.
