NRLW squad member and proud Central West NSW local Georgie Coote has been awarded the inaugural McLoughlin Minerva Scholarship for Sportswomen at Wollongong University.
Hailing from Forbes, Coote becomes the first athlete to be awarded the scholarship, which recognises not only her rugby league endeavours, but also her dedication and commitment to academic excellence.
The 3-year scholarship will enable Coote to progress her Bachelor of Physical Education Studies at The University of Woollongong while continuing her contractual commitments with the South Sydney Rabbitohs Tarsha Gale Cup U19s side.
Following a promising start in league tag, Coote earned selection as a fullback for the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges (NSWCCC) Rugby League squad. She competed in the Australian All Schools U18s Rugby League competition and has represented her school as a squad member in the NSWCCC Rugby 7s.
Playing her second year in the Tarsha Gale Cup, Georgie has her sights set on playing in the Rabbitohs' Harvey Norman Cup side.
Georgie said, "I am honoured to be named the inaugural McLoughlin Minerva Scholarship recipient. I am proud to be a role model on and off the field for the next generation of female athletes.”
Christine McLoughlin AM, Chairman and Co-Founder of Minerva Network, and former Chancellor of the University of Wollongong, congratulated Georgie on receiving the 2024 McLoughlin Minerva Scholarship for Sportswomen.
“Reflecting the Minerva mission, the McLoughlin Minerva Scholarship places a strong emphasis on athletic achievements and academic leadership, to ensure elite female athletes are supported on and off the field.
“Georgie has long demonstrated an impressive balance between her sporting pursuits and academic responsibilities in her secondary schooling, and I look forward to seeing this continue as she pursues higher education at the University of Wollongong.”
Georgie Coote has displayed incredible drive and ambition, recognising the important role education plays in setting her up for “life after sport”.
In addition to receiving financial support via her scholarship, Minerva Network will connect Georgie with a professional female mentor (on a pro-bono basis), as well as providing the opportunity to participate in Minerva Network development and networking programs.
The Minerva Network currently supports and engages with 700 female athletes from more than 70 sports. The Minerva Network is the only organisation of its kind – offering elite sportswomen access to mentoring from some of the most senior professional women in Australia and an opportunity to regularly network with other athletes from all sports. Minerva provides a link between sport and business for elite sportswomen to navigate their career while competing, and to prepare them to lead in their careers after they retire from sport.
The Network’s 330 mentors generously share their expertise and experiences drawn from across Australia’s corporate, government and not-for-profit sectors, from industries including media, financial services, agriculture, legal, tourism, technology, science, resources, education, retail, FMCG and health.
Minerva athletes include Australian Women’s Cricket captain Alyssa Healy; Australian Diamonds netballer Sarah Klau; Paralympic Champion Madison de Rozario OAM PLY; Rugby 7s Gold Medallist and NRLW player Emma Tonegato OAM OLY, Olympic swimmers Cate Campbell OAM OLY and Bronte Campbell OLY; and Matildas Ellie Carpenter, Caitlin Foord and Tameka Yallop.
Minerva Network is a not-for-profit organisation that supports elite sportswomen from all sporting codes, to achieve their goals on and off the field. Minerva provides pro bono support to our Minerva Athletes through mentoring, professional development, advice and networking opportunities, enabled by a network of leading professionals.
contact@minervanetwork.com.au
