The University of Queensland student-athletes and community members are gearing up to represent Australia on the biggest stage – the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games.
UQ will be well-represented at the Games in France, with 26 people selected for the Australian Olympic and Paralympic squads.
UQ STUDENT-ATHLETES
Abby Andrews – Water Polo
Elizabeth Dekkers – Swimming
Thomas Neill – Swimming
Lakeisha Patterson – Swimming
Rachael Watson – Swimming
Tobiah Goffsassen – Rowing
Ria Thompson – Rowing – UQ Boat Club
Tatum Stewart – Hockey – UQ Hockey Club
Lachlan Kennedy – Athletics – UQ Athletics Club
Cara Feain-Ryan – Athletics – UQ Athletics Club
Isabella Nasser – Rugby 7s – UQ Rugby Union Club
UQ ALUMNI ATHLETE
Gabi Palm – Water Polo
Maddison Keeney – Diving
Rebecca Greiner – Hockey
Liam Adock – Athletics
Brendan Hall – Swimming
Caitlin Cronin – Rowing – UQ Boat Club
Lily Triggs – Rowing – UQ Boat Club
Nick Malouf – Rugby 7s – UQ Rugby Union Club
Emilee Barton – Rugby 7s coach – UQ Rugby Union Club
UQ SPORTING CLUB MEMBERS
Claire Colwill – Hockey – UQ Hockey Club
Tori West – Athletics – UQ Athletics Club
Kaitlin Shave – Rugby 7s – UQ Rugby Union Club
Sid Taylor – Rugby 7s – UQ Rugby Union Club
Jack Ireland – Swimming – UQ Swimming Club
David Heyden – Swimming – UQ Swimming Club and UQ Sport Swim Coach
Elite Athlete Program Advisor Emily Kingston was proud to report that the eleven UQ students selected are all current UQ Sporting Scholarship recipients.
“We are incredibly proud to see our current scholarship recipients achieving their dreams, making selection for the 2024 Games.”
“Their dedication and hard work to compete at the highest level while balancing an academic career is a true inspiration to all students on campus. The whole team at UQ Sport will be cheering them on.”
Lachlan Kennedy is a Sports Achievement Scholarship recipient who qualified for his first Olympic games, competing in the men’s 4x100m relay event.
Athletics surrounds Lachlan’s life on campus. When he isn’t studying a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) / Commerce at St Lucia, he is employed as a Customer Service Officer at the UQ Sport Athletics Centre.
“I train here weekly at the UQ Sport Athletics Track and often bring my little brother, we often have a kick on the footy field after I complete my training routine.”
Decorated Paralympian Lakeisha Patterson will compete in her third Paralympics in the S9 400m freestyle. Lakeisha is inspired to go back-to-back after winning the gold medal in the Tokyo Games.
“I watched the London 2012 Paralympic Games and realised there was an avenue for para-athletes to showcase they are more than their perceived limitations. I set myself a goal of being a Paralympic swimmer and I’ve been living that dream ever since 2016 Rio Games and I love it.”
Two-time winner of the UQ Sportsman of the Year Award (2022 and 2024) Thomas Neill is set to make a big impact in the pool this year. He will compete in three major events: men’s 200m freestyle, 200m IM, and 4x200m freestyle relay.
“After getting a taste of the Olympic experience in Tokyo, I have been looking forward to this year for a long time. UQ’s support around this has been unreal, and I am very thankful for their flexibility in achieving my goals in and out of the water.”
UQ Sporting Clubs are also seeing success with both Jack Ireland and Dave Heyden from the UQ Swimming Club being selected for the Paralympic Games. Dave Heyden is a swim coach at UQ Sport and will be in Paris to coach the Paralympic Swim Team.
Coach Dave first met Jack Ireland in 2016 at the Rio Games swimming trials. After that, Jack moved from Gladstone to Brisbane to be coached full-time by David at the UQ Sport Aquatic Centre.
After narrowly missing out on selection for the 2020 Tokyo Games, Jack is feeling triumphant about representing Australia at the Paralympic Games.
“I’ve been on Australian teams for world championships and competed at the Commonwealth Games, but to be a Paralympian is what I’ve been working towards for many years”, Jack said.
David added, “we talk a lot about swimming fast rather than positional results. We’ve got our eye on achieving a 1:52 time, and hopefully, the results come with that.”
Show your support for all our UQ athletes and cheer them on at Campbell Place with a Watch Party hosted by UQ Life from 29 July – 9 August, 10:00AM – 2:00PM.