Hockey player Hayden Beltz has been awarded a prestigious scholarship from the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) to help him juggle an elite sporting career and his Bachelor of Science studies, majoring in genetics, at Curtin University.
The AIS Education Scholarship is designed to ease the financial burden for elite athletes by supporting them in their quest for success in sport and study, by covering their education costs.
Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne congratulated Hayden for securing the highly sought-after scholarship.
“Hayden has been playing for the Tassie Tigers since 2015, not only representing his home state, but also representing Australia,” Professor Hayne said.
“Last year he made the move to WA where he brought his sharp mind to Perth to study at our Bentley campus while continuing his hockey career by flying back to Tasmania during the Hockey One season.
“This AIS scholarship recognises that sporting success doesn’t have to be at the expense of other ambitions, particularly those that can be realised through all that a university has to offer.”
24 year old Mr Beltz, said the scholarship will allow him to pursue his twin passions of hockey and science, and help set him up well for a life after sport.
“The financial assistance has provided me with a sense of security going forward with my academic career,” Mr Beltz said.
“Study and sport have been encompassing my life for some time now. Receiving the scholarship supports my education and sporting aspirations and I now feel as though I am able to commit myself fully to both.”
Mr Beltz was one of 37 Australian athlete students to be awarded an AIS scholarship and a share of $100,000 in this round.
For more information on the AIS Education Scholarships, please visit here.
