The University of Western Australia has a long history of commitment to supporting athletes in pursuing sport at the highest level, with a number of bursaries awarded each year to exceptional student athletes.
The Sports Bursaries program provides the foundations to build a comprehensive support structure for elite and high performing student athletes, coaches and officials here at UWA. The program has assisted a number of students across various sports, contributing to costs associated with equipment, professional development and competition.
The UWA Sport Convocation Bursary is awarded to the most outstanding elite student athletes at UWA amongst the nominees. The Bursary aims to keep in place a long-standing collaboration between the Convocation Council, the University and UWA Sport.
Jes Bromley, one of the Convocation Bursary recipients, is currently studying a Bachelor of Philosophy at UWA and is ranked 3rd in Australia for his division in Karate. Jes was selected for Karate1 Youth League in Poreč, Croatia in June 2023 and Karate1 Series A in Jakarta, Indonesia in November 2022.
"I am incredibly honoured to be a recipient of the UWA Sport Convocation Bursary. I am grateful to have UWA supporting my endeavours in sport that has little funding. I am currently on exchange in Japan, and this bursary has provided support which has alleviated the financial pressures associated with being a student athlete abroad."
Jes Bromley, 2023 UWA Sport Convocation Bursary winner
The University’s investment in student athletes has strongly motivated Jes to study at UWA. Furthermore, the Student Athlete Development Program has supported Jes whilst he competes in Japan, creating flexibility in his study load to ensure success in all areas of his life.
The female bursary recipient, Rhianna Hepburn, is also currently studying a Bachelor of Philosophy at UWA and has recently represented Australia at the 2023 Junior World Triathlon Championship, placing 9th. Rhianna also won the National Junior Triathlon Championship and placed 2nd at the Oceanic Junior Triathlon Championships. Congratulations to both student athletes on a successful sporting season.
"It’s a great privilege to win the UWA Sport Convocation Bursary, which will make it possible to compete in domestic and international events. Competing in these events will develop my skills against experienced athletes and help build my international ranking."
Rhianna Hepburn, 2023 UWA Sport Convocation Bursary winner
The WM Nunn Bursary is open to all first-year students and is awarded in recognition of UWA student athlete Wally Marshall Nunn. WM Nunn achieved great success in sport at UWA. Nunn is the only student athlete to date to win four full blue awards, achieving his successes in the sports of athletics, rugby, swimming and rowing.
This year's WM Nunn Bursary recipient is Alex Perin. Alex, a first-year student, is currently studying a Bachelor of Commerce and a member of the UWA Athletics Club. Alex plans to use the funding to support his sporting endeavours in high jump at the 2024 Australian Athletics Championship on the back of a successful athletics season. Recently, Alex won the 2023 Western Australian State Championships clinching the gold medal with a 2.10m high jump. In addition, Alex earned a silver medal in high jump at the 2023 U20 Australian Athletics Championships.
The Indigenous Athlete Bursary is open to all current Indigenous students at UWA. This bursary was founded in the 2016 pilot Sport Bursary program to recognise the achievements of Indigenous student-athletes attending UWA. This year’s recipient, Kyiah O’Donohue, is a consistent starter and team member of the UWA Maali Basketball Team that competes in the University Basketball League (UBL). Throughout the season, Kyiah averaged 15 points per game with a high volume of 3-point shots that bolstered the team to get into finals. In addition, Kyiah displayed the same dominant form, earning the MVP award for basketball at the 2023 UniSport Indigenous Nationals competition held in Clayton, Victoria.
UWA Sport would like to congratulate all the 2023 bursary recipients.
For more information on the Student Athlete Development Program and the Sports Bursary Program, please visit our website.