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.