Australian College of Physical Education Academic Excellence - General

Jo Brigden-Jones – Canoe Sprint
Jo Brigden-Jones is completing a Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Technology. During the year she has managed to maintain a credit average. Brigden-Jones won the UTS Union Sportswoman of the Year award, and was awarded a ‘Full Blue’ in 2008. At the 2009 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships, where she competed in the ‘A’ final of four events, the first time an Australian woman has achieved such a feat.

Joel Dennerley – Water Polo (Men)
Joel Dennerley studies and trains at the University of Southern California. As recognition of Dennerley’s excellent academic results, he was named to the 2008 National All-Academic Team with a GPA of 3.3. Dennerley has progressed into the Australian men’s national squad as a goalkeeper and was part of the team that finished sixth at the World League finals in June. He is the number one goalkeeper for the University of Southern California who, in 2008, went through their season undefeated for the first time since 1944.

Thomas Whalan – Water Polo (Men)
Although Thomas Whalan is based in Italy, he manages to successfully balance his sport with study via correspondence. A late entry into a Kaplan Professional course, Whalan had 11 days to complete four weeks of work. He managed to complete the work and achieve a credit while playing in the highly respected Italian water polo league, and captaining the Australian Water Polo team.

Ian Rayson – Track & Field
Ian Rayson attends the University of Newcastle and is completing a Bachelor of Maths. His outstanding results have seen him nominated to the University of Newcastle Faculty of Science and IT commendation list for averaging a distinction or higher in his studies.  He has been awarded a statistic scholarship for 2009 and offered a cadetship with Australian Bureau of Statistics. The cadetship will guarantee him a job from 2011 and will allow him to complete his honours, funded by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Johnno Cotterill – Water Polo (Men)
Johnno Cotterill is studying a Bachelor of Commerce / Liberal Studies at the University of NSW and has maintained a distinction average. Cotterill was one of Australia stand out players at the World University Games in which Australia won gold, as well as the FINA World Aquatic Championships in which Australia finished fifth.