New scholarships aimed at school leavers

Two new Southern Cross University scholarships, worth $6000 each, will be available to school leavers enrolling in the Diploma of Sports Management (surfing studies) at the Tweed Gold Coast campus next year.

Course co-ordinator Mr Jak Carroll said the scholarships were aimed at school leavers who undertook a surfing-related program at school in 2005.

The scholarships will be officially launched at the Tweed Gold Coast campus by head of campus Professor Bryan Rothwell and Surfing Australia chief executive officer Mario Agius, on Tuesday, August 16, at 10.30am.

"The scholarships are a great way of supporting our local region. There are a number of high schools in northern NSW and the Gold Coast that run surfing programs so we are expecting some strong local applications," Mr Carroll said.

"These scholarships show a commitment to the surf industry and to schools that promote the sport. We are looking for some young people who have both a love of surfing and a desire to forge a serious career working with a surf company."

Applicants will be assessed on academic achievement and surfing achievement/contribution to the sport.

Mr Carroll said the Diploma of Sport Management was designed to give students the skills needed to further a career in the business side of the surfing industry. The course includes practical industry experience as well as surf coaching at Surfing Australia's high performance centre at Casuarina.

"We have students from all around Australia and overseas doing the course and our graduates are picking up jobs with companies such as Rip Curl, Hurley and BASE."

Guest speaker at the launch will be Caroline Jackson, who completed the Diploma of Sport Management last year and now works for BASE. Students from Kingscliffe High as well as current Southern Cross University students will also be attending.

Photo opportunity: Tuesday, August 16, 10.30am at Tweed Gold Coast campus, Brett Street.