• Physio student to compete at largest global multi-sports event for student-athletes
• Balances study and a training load of around 110 kilometres a week
• Hopes to better her steeplechase fourth place at previous games in Taiwan

A Charles Sturt University (Charles Sturt) student has been selected to join the Australian UniRoos athletic team to compete at the biennial international university student games next month.

Ms Paige Campbell, a physiotherapy student in the Charles Sturt School of Community Health in Orange, will compete in the 2019 Summer Universiade Games in Napoli, Italy, from Wednesday 3 to Monday 15 July.

The games are convened by the International University Sports Federation (FISU) and are the largest global multi-sports event for student-athletes.

The Summer Universiade attracts more than 10,000 student-athletes and officials from more than 150 countries for 12 days of competition, which is broadcast to more than 300 million views in over 100 countries.

“It’s a great honour to represent Australia and Charles Sturt University at the world Summer Universiade in Napoli,” Ms Paige said.

“I will compete in the 3,000 metre steeplechase event, and hope to better my result of fourth place at the previous edition of the games two years ago in Taiwan.”

Earlier this year Ms Paige finished 29th at the world cross country championships in Denmark, and won her first national title in the 3,000 metre steeplechase.

“I have maintained a good steady training load of around 110 kilometres a week under the guidance of my coach Philo Saunders, to make sure I’m ready and in the best possible shape for the competition,” Ms Paige said.

“I am very lucky and thankful to have had fantastic support from the University to enable me to balance my studies in physiotherapy and a full-time training load competing at the international level.

“Special thanks to all my lecturers at Charles Sturt University in Orange for their understanding and flexibility, and to Kate Staniforth and Nik Granger from the Charles Sturt Elite Athlete Program for all of their assistance.

“Also, my thanks to my family, and to my coach Philo, friends and support team for all of their help, and I look forward to doing them proud in Italy.”