Lachlan Davis and Thomas Lightfoot receive 2023 University of Adelaide Sport Scholarships

An accomplished gymnast and a highly talented swimmer are the worthy recipients of the prestigious 2023 University of Adelaide Sport Scholarships.

Lachlan Davis is an Australian National Squad team member in the sport of gymnastics and AU Gymnastics Club member. Thomas Lightfoot is an AU Elite Athlete Club members and represents the University of Adelaide in key competitions nationally and locally with the Marion Swimming Club.

The scholarship will enable Lachlan to maintain a high level of performance in gymnastics while balancing his academic responsibilities. 

It will primarily assist with travel expenses related to attending national championships and international competitions, such as the World University Games in China next month.

Additionally, the scholarship will assist in covering Lachlan’s daily training expenses and training fees. 

Lachlan who is studying a Bachelor of Commerce said receiving the scholarship was just the positive news he needed.

“It means a lot to me, I found out earlier on in Semester One and I was in the middle of doing a few competitions and struggling with injuries a bit,” Lachlan said.

“Getting that news was really good and it made me really happy.”

Lachlan started gymnastics at four years old and with his mum a gymnast as well he found himself training 25 hours a week in year three at primary school.

Lachlan currently does male artistic gymnastics which includes six events in total including the Pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel and horizontal bar and floor exercises.

He said this was the best possible way to qualify for the Olympics in the future but his immediate goal was getting in the team for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Victoria.

Marion Swimming Club’s Thomas Lightfoot is the other recipient of the 2023 University of Adelaide Sport Scholarship.

Thomas is enrolled in a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical) with a Bachelor of Mathematical and Computer Sciences and is a SA Sports Institute athlete.

Born in the UK, Thomas moved over to Australia with his family when he was 9 years old, started competitive swimming at 11 and competing in the national championships at 13. It is the second year in a row that Thomas has been a scholarship recipient and said with swimming requiring a lot of interstate travel it was very beneficial.

“I am pretty privileged to have the Adelaide University scholarship for the second year in a row,” Thomas said.

“It really helps to be able to get to and from different competitions.

“I’ve been out of the state each month since November and was able to recently represent the University and compete against the best in the country in Sydney.

“Without Adelaide University’s support I wouldn’t have been able to do this so I am extremely grateful.”

Thomas who said long distance swimming was his specialty said being in an Australian team of some sort was the goal but acknowledged that it was very tough and competitive to make the national swimming team.

The scholarship will also assist Thomas in covering this year's training fees at the SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre, where Thomas trains with his current squad as part of the Marion Swimming Club.

The 2023 Scholarship Celebration will be held on Thursday 12 October 3.00pm - 4.30pm at the National Wine Centre.