Skip to main content
Start of main content.

Faster, higher, stronger: Scholar’s ambition to transform sport

Hannah Schmidt has been awarded a prestigious Vice Chancellor's Elite Bond University Scholarship. PHOTO: Cavan Flynn

By Jessica Borten

A Mentone champion lifesaver has accepted a top scholarship to Bond University where she hopes to combine her passion for sport and mathematics to help improve athletic performance.

Hannah Schmidt is one of just nine students from around Australia to secure a fully-paid Vice Chancellor’s Elite Scholarship that recognises academic achievement, extra-curricular involvement and contribution to the wider community.

The Mentone Grammar School alumni will study a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science.

“In any sport, one fundamental question is how do we run, throw, jump better or faster, and as athletes approach their physical limitations, the solution to that question is found in the tiny details,” Ms Schmidt said.


“I want to be right at the forefront of this and continue to explore how technology can be integrated into training and recovery so athletes and teams can continue to improve.

“One day I would like to work within a major sporting organisation – whether it's swimming, netball or anything in between.  I want to help athletes of all abilities achieve their goals and more.”

Ms Schmidt captained the Junior Victorian Surf Lifesaving team in 2017 and was vice-captain of the Victorian state swim team in 2018. 

The volunteer lifesaver is a multi-state medallist in freestyle and medley events and represented her school in cross country for five years.

In January 2020, Ms Schmidt partnered with a friend to raise $4000 for bushfire relief by swimming 50km and running 80km over a week.

She said the facilities at Bond University cemented her decision to study at the Gold Coast university.

“When I was looking at different universities, Bond stood out to me because of its strong sense of community and support,” she said.

More from Bond

  • Surfing subject makes a splash with students

    Surf Industry Studies is a very unique, hands on approach to learning all about the surfing industry.

    Read article
  • Bond boys in the hood

    Bull Sharks Netball training partner Glenn Ormesher and Sapphire Assistant Coach Gavin Clarke are making their presence felt.

    Read article
  • Soldier, MP, academic: remembering Terry Gygar

    Associate Professor Terry Gygar, a former soldier and Queensland MP who went on to become a law academic at Bond University, has died following a battle with cancer.

    Read article
  • Penalty shootout in Madrid for sports law students

    A team of Bond University law students has made the world finals of the Sports Arbitration Moot in Spain.

    Read article
  • Undefeated U18s advance to Grand Final

    Rugby wrap: The U18s to play Souths in Lightning Series Grand Final, the men win big in Canberra and the women kick off their premiership defence with an intra-club match.

    Read article
Previous Next