JCU athlete Elliarna Mitchell awarded Elite Athlete Scholarship

A prestigious scholarship to a Townsville university will allow a champion athlete to enhance her training and study ahead of national and state competitions.

Champion athlete Elliarna Mitchell will have more time to focus on her study and training thanks to a prestigious scholarship from James Cook University. Picture: Evan Morgan

A prestigious scholarship to a Townsville university will allow a champion athlete to enhance her training and study ahead of national and state competitions.

Elliarna Mitchell, the 400m Oceania under-18 champion, is the recipient of the James Cook University Elite Athlete Scholarship, which awards gifted North Queensland students up to $30,000 in financial support.

The Bachelor of Physiotherapy is grateful for the support, saying it will help her continue training while at university.

“Without the support of this scholarship I’d have to find a part time job, which would have meant more pressure juggling my athletics training and study,” she said.

Professor Chris Cocklin with champion athlete and JCU student Elliarna Mitchell. Picture: Evan Morgan

“The support will also assist with my travels to Brisbane and other cities to participate in training clinics and attend state and national competitions.”

Mitchell recently returned from the Queensland Championships in Brisbane, bringing home gold in the 800m and silver in the 400m in the under-20 division.

She will soon be heading to Sydney for the National Championships and hopes to again qualify for the Oceania Championships.

Now into her third week of study, Mitchell said she is excited for the year ahead.

Provost Professor Chris Cocklin said the JCU Elite Athlete Scholarship was about keeping talent in North Queensland.

Originally published as JCU athlete Elliarna Mitchell awarded Elite Athlete Scholarship