Australian Soccer Scholarships

Soccer's soaring popularity "down under" can be traced to Team Australia's improbable success at the 2006 World Cup. Playing in the tournament for the first time in 32 years, Australia defied the odds to reach the final 16. Their placement reinvigorated soccer--called "football" in Australia--among fans and players who want to turn their own soccer dreams into reality. By easing the financial burden, scholarships can help make those dreams come true.

  1. Australian Institute of Sport Scholarship

    • Australia's government funds scholarships for young soccer players.

      Funded by the federal government, the Australian Sports Commission awards 20 scholarships a year to students who demonstrate excellence in soccer. Recipients receive at least a year of training and study at the Australian Institute of Sport, with the option of a second year. Students 15 to 17 years old are eligible, provided they hold current or pending Australian citizenship. Applications are not accepted as scholarship recipients are recruited by scouts and coaches.

      Australian Institute of Sport Football Scholarship

      Australian Sports Commission

      Leverrier Street

      Bruce ACT 2616

      Australia

      +61-02-62-1111

      ausport.gov.au

    Bill Jameson Scholarship

    • Demonstrating an aptitude for both soccer and academics is the key to receiving the Bill Jameson Football Scholarship at the University of New South Wales. Two students--one male, one female--are chosen each year to simultaneously play for the UNSW soccer team and study for a full-time bachelor's degree program. The Bill Jameson Foundation pays one-year tuition for each student, worth about $2,000, tax-exempt. Applications are accepted through the UNSW website.

      Bill Jameson Football Scholarship

      The University of New South Wales

      UNSW Sydney 2052

      Australia

      +61-2-9385-1078

      unsw.edu.au

    Wollongong Football Scholarship

    • Located 50 miles south of Sydney, the University of Wollongong awards scholarships to two students who have an outstanding ability in soccer. They must enroll in a full-time undergraduate degree program and play for the UOW soccer team. Each scholarship is worth $2,500. Applications are accepted online or by mail.

      University of Wollongong

      Sporting Scholarships

      Wollongong NSW 2522

      Australia

      +61-2-4221-3218

      uow.edu.au

    Kimon Talidoros Scholarship

    • First awarded in 2008, this scholarship is named for Kimon Talidoros, professional player and co-founder of Professional Footballers Australia. Every year, an awards' committee chooses two recipients---a player under 23 and a veteran who's nearing the end of his professional career. Each scholarship is worth $5,000, and if it's not used to pay for the player's education costs, it must be donated to a charity of his choice.

      Professional Footballers Australia

      Kimon Talidoros Scholarship

      833 Bourke St.

      Docklands Victoria 3008

      Australia

      +61-3-9297-1888

      pfa.net.au

    Indigenous Future Football Program

    • Exposing young indigenous Australians to soccer is the purpose behind the University of Sydney's Indigenous Future Football Program. Select indigenous students, ranging from primary to university ages, receive a scholarship to participate in an annual soccer training camp, organized by the University of Sydney Football Club. Applications are accepted by mail or online.

      Sydney University Soccer Football Club

      Indigenous Future Football Program

      NSW 2006

      Australia

      +61-2-9351-8113

      susfc.org.au