Sports talent shines

Eight UNSW students have joined the ranks of Australia's sporting elite after winning prestigous Ben Lexcen Scholarships.

The Lexcen Sports Scholarships are awarded to UNSW students for outstanding sporting achievements on the national or international level and are the University's most prestigious sporting scholarships.

The new Ben Lexcen scholars for 2011 are: Olivia White, Basketball/Netball - B Media (PR & Advertising); Alexandra Green, Adaptive Rowing - B Mechanical Engineering; Keller Locke-Sodhi, Judo - B Engineering (Aerospace); Selma Kajan, Athletics - B Media Journalism and Communications; Sianne Toemoe, Athletics - B Arts/Medicine; Lisa Darmanin, Sailing - B Commerce; Kara Sutherland, Cricket - B Social Science (Criminology) and James Shute; Touch Football - B Exercise Physiology.

The scholarships were presented by Vice-Chancellor Professor Fred Hilmer at the annual UNSW Blues and Sports Awards dinner.

The lucrative Ben Lexcen Sports Scholarships provide $5,000 in financial support and a mentoring program to provide scholars flexibility in managing their study and sporting commitments.

UNSW offers 22 Ben Lexcen Sports Scholarships each year. Previous scholars include Olympian race walker, Jane Saville, Rugby League international, Craig Wing and six-time World Windsurfing Champion, Dr Melanie Webb. Current Ben Lexcen Scholars include Australian Water Polo captain Johnno Cotterill, Ski Cross World Cup winner Scott Kneller and ASP Women's World Tour surfer Jessi Miley-Dyer.

UNSW was the first Australian university to establish a program of sports scholarships in 1988 and now provides over $100,000 in support to talented student athletes, largely made possible through generous donations.

Media contact: Fran Strachan | UNSW media unit | 9385 8732