Eli wins a NSW Sport and Recreation Indigenous Scholarship

A love of sports spurred Eli Cook into studying for a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science degree at Southern Cross University.

Now in his second year and ‘loving it’ Eli has won a NSW Sport and Recreation Indigenous Scholarship worth $10,000 over two years. The scholarship is part of the Rising Stars Scholarships program.

“This is going to make a huge difference to my financial situation,” Eli said.

“I study pretty well full-time doing four units, as well as working part-time as the assistant manager at Farmer Charlie’s Fruit Barn in Evans Head, but when you are living away from home money is always tight.

“I am thrilled to have received this scholarship and it will help the budget and give me more financial security.

“It also proves to me that I can achieve good grades in my studies and has given me more of an incentive to add a further qualification to my skill set.

“Once I finish my Bachelor’s degree I plan to do a Graduate Diploma of Education so that I can have broader career options and the choice of becoming a PE teacher.

“Teaching is something I have always been interested in as well, so it would be great to be able to combine both sport and teaching in a career.”

Photo: Eli Cook, recipient of a NSW Sport and Recreation Indigenous Scholarship.