Students REAP the rewards through elite athlete program

Orienteering champion Sophie Taverna shares how RMIT's Elite Athlete Program (REAP) has her back.

The RMIT Elite Athlete Program (REAP) is all about empowering elite and emerging athletes at RMIT to balance their training and academic studies without breaking a sweat. By supporting students to devote time to training and competition while also completing their tertiary studies, student athletes can achieve both their sporting and academic aspirations.

Students who join the program are eligible for a host of benefits including assessment and exam flexibility, priority for timetable preferencing, personalised support from a dedicated coordinator, free access to the RMIT medical services and more.

Sophie Taverna, a second-year student studying Bachelor of Environmental Engineering and a competitive orienteer is part of the REAP program, is currently preparing the represent Victoria in the National League Round.

"REAP has made my sport-study schedule easier to manage," said Sophie.

In 2023 when travelling to Western Australia for the championship, the team at REAP assisted Sophie in arranging online lectures and assessment extensions to help balance her sporting and academic committments.

"This helped to take a mental load off while racing due to not have to be worrying about the assignments,’" Sophie shared.

RMIT is proud to be a ‘athlete friendly’ university supporting student athletes across a range of ages, genders, competition levels and courses.

Young student running through field wearing Victoria jersey during an orienteering competition.

Sophie Taverna is gearing up for the National League Round in Orienteering with the help of RMIT"s Elite Athlete Program.

In March the REAP team hosted a networking opportunity for students to catch up, connect and build a sense of community as they embark on their 2024 journeys. Talking about the community at REAP, Sophie described it as ‘incredibly supportive.’

"Everyone is enthusiastic about all the different sports that people do," said Sophie.

"REAP is also always there to communicate with and there if any trouble arises."

Through the program Sophie has also found for herself a network of likeminded friends and professional connections who experience the same challenges of balancing academic and sporting ambitions.

Large group of RMIT students coming together during networking event for elite and emerging athletes.

Elite and emerging athletes came together during a networking event in March this year.

Considering joining REAP?

The REAP initiative is available to emerging and elite athletes currently studying at RMIT. To check if you meet the eligibility criteria and to submit an application, please visit the RMIT Elite Athlete Program webpage. If you have any queries, you can get in touch with the REAP team via elite.athletes@rmit.edu.au.

Learn more about the RMIT Elite Athlete Program

Story: Suzee Ngo

26 April 2024

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Students REAP the rewards through elite athlete program