Lucky Sports Duo US Bound

Fri 02 Jun 2006

Student Exchange Australia's sister organisation Student Placement Australia (SPA) and Asics are delighted to announce the winners of the fully sponsored positions to attend the International Showcase event in Florida in July.

Freya Mulvey (Basketball), Pymble Ladies' College (NSW), and John Peers (Tennis), Mentone Grammar (VIC), both Year 12 students, beat a competitive field from across Australia to secure the spots.

The lucky duo will be heading to the US in July 2006 for a two week international sports camp attended by head coaches from over 70 US universities. Based on the evaluation of the head coaches Freya and John will be offered full or partial Sports Scholarships to study at American universities.

The attendance cost of the International Showcase (US$3,500) will be met by leading sportswear manufacturer, Asics who will also provide the winners with Asics product to the value of A$1,000. SPA is donating their return airfares.

Freya's application came with a strong recommendation from one of Basketball NSW' Head Coaches who referred to her as "possessing an almost unique range of skills..." and "...almost the perfect student-athlete." Freya's older sister is currently studying at an American university so she has a well developed appreciation of the benefits and challenges involved.

John's application came with strong recommendations from the Victorian Institute of Sport and Tennis Australia. He has improved his International Tennis Federation Junior ranking 854 places to 162nd in the world over the last 12 months. John has a very thorough understanding of the opportunities offered through the US college system.

Both John and Freya are well supported by their parents in their desire to obtain Sports Scholarships to study in the US.

Student Placement Australia Director, Nick Lorentzen, said, "I am delighted for Freya and John. They are outstanding young people with very clear sporting and academic potential. I know they will give an excellent account of themselves in Florida and go on to achieve great success in their chosen sporting and professional careers."

Nick thanked all the other applicants for their time and interest and encouraged them to continue their applications on a fee paying basis. He also praised Asics for supporting this new initiative. He said " Asics are much more than the leading Sportswear company. They have a genuine interest and involvement in the community evidenced by the wide variety of projects they support. We value highly their contribution."

Fee paying applications to attend the International Showcase are still open. Amateur and recreational sports men & women between the ages of 16 & 26 in the following sports are welcome to apply:

• Tennis
• Basketball
• Soccer
• Golf

Click here for more details.