Softball star Natalie Shapiro's hectic international playing schedule means she will not be able to make it up on stage to collect her arts degree from the University of Queensland tonight, Tuesday August 12.
The up-and-coming 21-year-old will be en route from China with the Australian senior team as her classmates receive their degrees at the 6pm St Lucia graduation ceremony.
She will graduate with a double major in psychology.
Ms Shapiro, a University Sports Scholarship winner for each of the four years of her degree, has been representing Australia in a tournament in Beijing against arch-rivals the Chinese senior team, plus the Chinese youth team and Chinese Taipei.
The scholarships are worth $1000 each and enable free use of the UQ SPORT facilities , an advantage Ms Shapiro says was particularly important in her development because it allowed her to train between lectures.
'I'd never had a special training program until I won my scholarship,' she said.
'Lachlan Penfold from UQ SPORT designed a program and monitored my training. My progress impressed the Australian senior team selectors so much that Lachlan became their sports trainer.
'Without the award I don't know that I would have gone so far in my sport while doing so well in my studies.'
Ms Shapiro had a disappointing start to her national senior career, breaking her thumb in training for a Superball challenge in the USA in which Australia produced a stunning victory.
She has had far more luck in Beijing, bringing praise from Softball Australia's high performance manager Graeme Rose, who predicts a long career at the top level for the big-hitting all-rounder. Mr Rose is also a part-time University of Queensland master of commerce student.
Ms Shapiro will have a six-week break after arriving home to Brisbane at 12.30pm on August 13, after which she will start training for the National Championships in January and the World Championships in Japan in July.
For further information, contact Graeme Rose, Softball Australia, telephone 3245 0555.
