Making the most of her chances

Growing up as a sports-mad teenager in Mulwala, a border town on the New South Wales side of the Murray River, Paige Duffy never imagined getting into university. She excelled in any sport she tried – from athletics to swimming, kickboxing and football – leaving little time for focused study.

“I had this idea that I either had to choose to focus on sport or on Year 12 study, and I love my sport, so that was always going to be my number one choice,” recalls Paige, who went to school at Sacred Heart College in Yarrawonga, on the Victorian side of the river. 

At the time, Paige was chasing a dream to play Australian rules football in the AFLW, crossing over from athletics and playing with the Murray Bushrangers in a bid to get drafted by her favourite team, the Carlton Blues. 

She also had a part-time job in an aged care facility, which had sparked an interest in nursing.

“I had these two dreams for my future but I didn’t see how they could possibly work together,” she says. “I remember talking to my Year 12 coordinator, and I said, ‘Look, I’d really like to study nursing, but I just don’t think I can get the scores – I’d be better off leaving school and doing an apprenticeship while I focus on my sport.’” 

A game changer 

It was at this point that Paige was introduced to Uni Step-Up, an ACU initiative that gives Year 11 students from regional areas and other priority groups a taste of university study. 

Those who qualify have the opportunity to test out a subject area in their course of choice, receiving early entry and getting a head start on their degree. 

“It was a game changer for me,” says Paige, who completed the Uni Step-Up program in 2023, and commenced her Bachelor of Nursing at ACU’s Melbourne Campus in 2024.

Paige in action for the Murray Bushrangers.

“It gave me a pathway to the nursing degree that I didn’t think was possible, and it also took the pressure off during year 12, allowing me to focus on study while also putting lots of energy into football.”  

As she prepared to graduate from high school, Paige’s footy dream also began to take shape, with Carlton expressing an interest in recruiting her as a VFLW-listed rookie. 

Before long, they signed her up, and in early 2024 she moved to Melbourne to kick off her dual-career journey.

“I’m absolutely loving the football, and I’m really enjoying being in the uni environment and studying nursing as well,” says Paige, who lives in a student village in Carlton, within walking distance of ACU’s campus in Fitzroy. 

“I’m just kind of riding the roller coaster. I have these two amazing opportunities in front of me, and I want to work really hard at both of them and see where that takes me.”

Kicking her goals 

Since her recruitment as a Carlton rookie, Paige has become one of a select group of ACU students supported by the Elite Athlete and Performer Program, a program that helps student-athletes to achieve balance across their active and academic pursuits.   

One of the key benefits of the program is the flexibility it offers on class selection and adjustments.      

“Football takes up a huge chunk of my week, and I also have a busy uni timetable,” she says. “Knowing that there are people there to provide that support and flexibility you need is really helpful. It feels good to be in such an athlete-friendly environment, and it gives you the confidence and the space to achieve your best.”

She also commends the Carlton Football Club for its support and flexibility.

“Carlton were really keen for me to jump on board, even when I lived so far away from Melbourne,” she says. “Since I moved here, they’ve been really understanding of the importance of my study and the need to make sure I’m succeeding at both football and uni. I’m really loving the juggle.”  

When she’s not absorbed by her sport and her study, Paige plays a role as an ambassador with ACU’s Victoria-based Equity Pathways team, doing her bit to help others to pursue their career goals. 

“It’s been pretty cool to be able to give back like that, to share your experiences and help others to find their way – especially people like me, who’ve grown up in a country town and know that we don’t see as many opportunities as people do here in the city,” she says. 

“If I look at what I’m doing right now, playing football while also studying at uni, I just didn’t think that was a possibility for me. It’s unreal that I’ve got this chance, and I hope that others in a similar position find opportunities like this, too.”

Keen to find an opportunity to study at ACU? Explore the options. 

Find out more about Uni Step-Up and the Elite Athlete and Performer Program.