Sprint star is UC's first athlete in residence

Kristyn Comino

27 June 2014: Australia's fastest-ever woman, Melissa Breen, will be the University of Canberra's first athlete in residence.

Announced today, ahead of Ms Breen's departure for the Commonwealth Games on Tuesday, the new role will give students the opportunity to work with and learn from the national record-holding runner, whilst also seeing her assist in sport and exercise research.

Dean of the Faculty of Health Diane Gibson and athlete in residence Melissa Breen sign the agreement for the new partnership. Photo: Michelle McAulay

Ms Breen is a 100m and 200m sprinter who broke the national record in the 100m in February with a time of 11.11 seconds, a record that had stood for 20 years, making her Australia's fastest-ever woman. Born and raised in Canberra, she said she is looking forward to giving back to the community in her new role at the University, which will mainly see her help educate students studying in sport-based fields like exercise science and sports media.

"I'm excited to be the first University of Canberra athlete in residence. It's a leading institution for sport that is right here in Canberra and I think this partnership helps bridge the gap between athletes and the community," Ms Breen said.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for me to share with students what it takes to be an elite athlete, which I think will both help their education and improve my professional development. I'm also looking forward to being involved in research such as in trials or even as a test subject."

Despite her success, the down-to-earth track star said she is hoping to be approachable to students.

"I'm the fastest woman this country has ever produced but I'm also still just Mel, I'm a normal person who is living an awesome life and I really appreciate that, I'm so lucky to do what I do. Sometimes I forget I broke the national record and then I'll remember and give myself a mental high-five – it's a cliché but I am living the dream."

The athlete in residence position is led by the University's Faculty of Health. Dean Diane Gibson said that while universities have a long tradition of writers and artists in residence, Ms Breen is the University's first athlete in residence.

The athlete in residence position is in collaboration with the Faculty of Arts and Design, the University of Canberra Union and the University of Canberra Research Institute for Sport and Exercise.

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