October 15, 2021

UOW student signs training contract with Brisbane Roar

Global Football Program student Chantelle Symes will join the Club’s A-League Women squad

Chantelle Symes, a University of Wollongong (UOW) Tottenham Hotspur Global Football Program (GFP) student is set to join the Brisbane Roar Football Club this month to pursue her career goals.

Chantelle has taken up the opportunity of a training contract with Brisbane Roar leading into the A-League Women’s season.

Originally from Sydney, Chantelle is an ardent football lover and she has been playing the game since she was six years old. She joined the University’s football Program two years ago as a goalkeeper with an aim to develop her football skills and maintain and improve physical performance required for the game.

Chantelle is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Psychological Science and is in her second year of the degree.

“I am excited and looking forward to joining Brisbane Roar in the A-League Women’s season,” Chantelle said.

“The team at the GFP has been really supportive and my coach and mentor Peter Sestak has not only helped me as a goalkeeper but also as a person. The GFP took my training to the next level and helped me dedicate the time to the Program, and I can see the improvement in my overall game.”

“The facilities offered to the players at the Wollongong campus are phenomenal and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to further their commitment to the sport.”

She said balancing her studies and her commitment to the Program was challenging in the beginning, but planning her week in advance helped her maintain balance between her studies and the Program.

“The biggest thing for me was trying to work my uni studies with my football training and making sure I have planned out my week in advance.”

The Tottenham Hotspur Global Football Program offers a wide range of services which enable all players to develop and learn both on and off the field. It provides 5 days a week training, regular gym schedules and assists participants in getting the most out of their ability.

UOW Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global Strategy) Professor Alex Frino congratulated Chantelle on her brilliant achievement and acknowledged the outcome of the GFP program.

“I would like to congratulate Chantelle for her outstanding achievement and her passion for the game is truly inspirational to many,” Professor Frino said.

“The GFP’s core aim is to nurture the skills of students and giving them the best opportunity to develop and progress their careers, and pushing every player to their footballing limit, giving them the best opportunity to develop.

“I would like to acknowledge and thank our world-class coaches who produce exceptionally skilled players and enable them to develop and learn both on and off the field.”

^{In Pic: Chantelle Symes with GFP coach Petr Sestak}

GFP Lead Coach Matheus Scapin congratulated Chantelle on her exceptional achievement and said her professional growth is an inspiration to many players wishing to make football their career goal.

 “Chantelle brings to life one of our main goals here in Wollongong, to develop the individual as a person as well as a player,” Mr Scapin said.

“It’s a great opportunity to experience a professional environment and put into practice all the knowledge and skill set she has developed through these 2 first years of the Program.”

Chantelle will stay in Brisbane until the end of the A-League Women’s season in April next year.

GFP is a unique program offered by the University for students to develop their football skills while pursuing a degree of their choice. The Program brings together one of the world's best-known football clubs and one of the world's best modern universities to train students under qualified coaches from the English Premier League.