Elite sport program

Bond Elite Sport Program (BESP)

The Bond Elite Sport Program, also known as BESP, supports athletes competing at high levels while completing their university degree at Bond. It provides structured academic flexibility, personalised guidance and access to high‑performance environments, so you can progress in sport without putting your education on hold.

This program exists to help elite athletes manage the real demands of training, travel and competition alongside studying at Bond.

Who the Bond Elite Sport Program is for

The Bond Elite Sport Program supports students who are:

  • Competing at state, national or international level
  • Progressing through elite, emerging‑elite or professional pathways
  • Managing high training volumes, competition schedules and travel
  • Committed to completing a Bond degree alongside their sport

Athletes in the program come from Olympic, Paralympic and professional sports across a wide range of disciplines.

Bond's Elite Sport Program is a two-tiered program:

Tier one status will be granted to an athlete that currently competes at a national / international level in an open age group in their chosen sport.

Tier two status will be granted to an athlete that represents at a state level or national level in an age group in their chosen sport.

What the program provides

The Elite Athlete Program focuses on practical, day‑to‑day support to help you balance performance and study.

Academic flexibility

Eligible athletes may be supported with:

  • Study load planning aligned to training and competition cycles
  • Subject and trimester sequencing to manage peak performance periods
  • Academic considerations during verified competition or travel
  • Long‑term degree planning across seasons or multi‑year cycles

All flexibility is structured, documented and coordinated in consultation with academic teams.

Individual support and advocacy

Athletes in the program have access to:

  • A dedicated point of contact within the university
  • Guidance navigating academic requirements alongside sport
  • Ongoing review as training or competition schedules change

Support evolves over time to reflect the reality of elite sport, rather than being fixed at the start of your degree.

Access to performance environments

Elite Sport Program members may receive access to:

  • Bond’s High Performance Training Centre
  • Strength and conditioning facilities
  • Altitude training room (where appropriate)
  • Hot and cold recovery pools

These environments support preparation, recovery and consistency across training blocks and competition periods.

Elite Athlete Fund (Tier 1 only)

Bond’s Elite Athlete Fund assists BESP members with funding for a sporting event or competition. Up to $2000 will be available to support events ranging from World University Games and Championships through to National and State Championships.

Find out more

How to apply to Bond as an elite athlete

  • Step 1: Apply for your degree

    Elite athletes should apply for their Bond degree first, either through a direct Bond application or via the relevant admission pathway for their chosen program. When applying, or as soon as you receive an offer, it is important to identify yourself as an elite athlete and be prepared to provide verification of your sporting commitments. Apply now

  • Step 2: Apply for the Elite Sport Program

    Once you have accepted your offer to study at Bond, you can apply for the Bond Elite Sport Program. You must be enrolled with an active Bond student email address to confirm your membership. Applications require verification from a recognised sporting body, a brief training and competition outline, and confirmation of acceptance of your degree offer or enrolment, and are assessed individually based on sporting commitments. Complete elite sport program application

  • Step 3: Submit your coach reference

    A reference letter from your coach is also required as part of your application. This letter should be included as an attachment in your Bond Elite Sport Program application, or emailed to [email protected]. The letter may also be delivered in person to the Bond Sport Office in Building 9, Level 2. Email: [email protected]

Choosing what to study at Bond

Elite athletes at Bond study across a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Choosing the right program is an important part of managing performance and wellbeing.

Many athletes look for degrees that:

  • Align with long‑term career interests beyond sport
  • Offer flexibility across trimesters
  • Allow planning around competition seasons
  • Support accelerated or adjusted study loads where needed

Common study areas among elite athletes include business, health sciences, communication, law, psychology, sport‑related disciplines, though athletes study across all faculties.

Bond's dedicated team can work with you to explore suitable programs, plan your degree around known competition cycles and map study across your athletic career.

Supporting athletes to perform at their best

Whether you’re chasing national selection, building toward professional pathways, or preparing for Olympic qualification, at Bond, you’ll train in environments designed to support you and your potential.

Located on campus, Bond's high‑performance environment gives you access to facilities and training spaces typically associated with elite sport — without sacrificing flexibility, balance or academic momentum.

Explore Sport facilities

Meet some of Bond's elite athletes

Grey's golden year

A code switch pays off for Bachelor of Sport Management alumna Georgia Grey.
STORY

The Rugby scholar shooting for the Paralympics

Lilliana Prucha was feeling isolated and lost when she turned to sport to find her spark. Now the...
STORY

Right on target

Armed with a Bachelor of Actuarial Science, this graduate is balancing elite archery ambitions with...
STORY

Take the next step

  • Our premier sporting clubs combine coaching, competition and athlete support to help student-athletes continue pursuing their sporting ambitions while studying at Bond. View sporting clubs
  • Apply for the Bond Elite Sport Program (BESP) and access tailored support, academic flexibility and high-performance opportunities designed to help you succeed in sport and study. Apply now
  • Have questions about the Bond Elite Sport Program (BESP)? Contact our team to learn about eligibility, applications, athlete support and balancing high-performance sport with university study. Email [email protected]