Thomas Rafter, high performance student athlete

Sport: Rugby League

Study: Bachelor of Education (Secondary) / Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies

Location: USC Sunshine Coast.

Rugby league has been part of my life since I was 5 when I signed up to play with the Bribie Island Warrigals.

Since I signed up, I’ve always wanted to play at the top level in the NRL.

I currently play in the Intrust Super Cup (Queensland Cup) for the Sunshine Coast Falcons.

Our schedule contains 3 sessions a week with a game during the season and pre-season holds 4 training sessions.

This year was my first state match representing Queensland in an interstate match against New South Wales. where an Australian University side was picked to play in Fiji in October.

I was named as the back rower for that side however I dislocated my shoulder playing for the Falcons against Mackay last month.

Our meal plans require a high carbohydrate diet and plenty of calories for the requirements of each training session.

Reasons for choosing HPSA:

• Use of the USC gym while I’m on campus
• Free sport-ability testing
• Subsidiary fees when competing for state and national level.
• HPSA Staff care for your competitions and help support in any way they can
• Athlete workshops
• Negotiations available for assessment deadlines when competing.

Learn more about USC's high performance student athlete program.