10 Scholarships for 10 Years: UQ Firebirds Scholarship Offering Expands in Milestone Year

The recent expansion of the UQ Firebirds Scholarship program signifies a milestone and showcases a collective commitment to fostering transformative opportunities for young individuals in Queensland.

Initiated in 2019, this scholarship, valued at $5,000, is designed to assist new University of Queensland (UQ) students who exhibit a strong enthusiasm for netball.

Netball Queensland and Queensland Firebirds CEO, Kate Davies, announced that the number of scholarships will increase from four to ten for the 2026 academic year.

“We’re thrilled that the UQ Firebirds Scholarship has been extended to ten recipients.” 

“This initiative has not only impacted lives on the court but has also positively influenced classrooms, communities, and future careers throughout Queensland.

“We invite all eligible young people to apply and seize this life-altering chance,” she said.

Davies encouraged eligible individuals within the netball community to take advantage of this substantial opportunity.

Expressing enthusiasm about the partnership’s expansion, Vice-Chancellor of UQ, professor Deborah Terry, added: “We are excited to extend this annual offering and encourage applications, especially from those in regional, remote, low socio-economic statuses, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.”

Beyond the scholarship program itself, professor Terry highlighted the partnership’s breadth, which integrates regional carnivals and competitions such as the Vicki Wilson Championship.

It also involves collaborative efforts with the Firebirds’ high-performance department, aimed at enhancing sports science initiatives.

UQ undergraduate and postgraduate students have the unique opportunity to gain practical experience in high-performance settings, working alongside professional athletes across areas such as strength and conditioning, performance analysis, physiotherapy, marketing, and sports media.

The scholarship has already proven instrumental in shaping careers, as exemplified by 2021 recipient Savanna Detlefson.

Hailing from the small Queensland town of Kilkivan and a graduate of Victory College in Gympie, Savanna shared how the scholarship facilitated her transition to life in Brisbane while pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work at UQ.

Applications for the 2026 UQ Firebirds Scholarship will be accepted until 16 November 2025, providing young Queenslanders with an opportunity to advance their academic and sporting ambitions.

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