Jack Adams, a SapphireOne-sponsored athlete, is an outstanding example of successfully balancing elite sport with higher education. He is currently completing a dual Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Commerce degree at UNSW, supported by the prestigious Ben Lexcen Sports Scholarship.
Jack was recently featured on the UNSW website, where he spoke about the value of the Elite Athlete Program (EAP)and how it enables student-athletes to maintain a balanced lifestyle while pursuing both academic and sporting excellence.
“UNSW offers one of the best Bachelor of Engineering and Commerce degrees in Australia. It has an excellent Elite Athlete Program and is located close to the beach, away from the city centre. Deciding to go to UNSW was an easy choice for me.”
Jack credits the Ben Lexcen Sports Scholarship and SapphireOne sponsorship as essential to his ability to compete at an elite level.
“Without the Ben Lexcen Sports Scholarship and SapphireOne sponsorship, I simply wouldn’t be living the life I am. The financial support is tremendous, helping with travel, training, and equipment costs that are unavoidable in elite sport.
However, it is the non-monetary benefits where UNSW truly shines. Without the academic support provided by the Elite Athlete Program, it would be impossible to manage coursework and assessments while travelling, competing, and pursuing my sporting goals internationally.”
Looking ahead, Jack has clear ambitions for both his academic and sporting career.
“In three years, I aim to be nearing completion of my dual degree and preparing to qualify for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.”
Jack’s Advice for Prospective Students
For students considering combining elite sport with tertiary study, Jack strongly recommends UNSW.
“To anyone wanting to pursue sport at an elite level while continuing their studies, I can’t recommend UNSW highly enough. It has far exceeded my expectations in the support and flexibility provided to athletes, while still delivering an excellent academic program.
University is so much more than an academic institution. It offers opportunities to explore interests you may never have pursued, meet incredible people, and develop skills that can completely reshape your future.
University is an exciting time filled with unknowns, but it requires you to put yourself out there. My advice is simple: do exactly that — try new things and explore all the amazing opportunities UNSW has to offer.”