In January, the second Raise the Bar Academy (RTB), a partnership between the University and Athletics Australia (AA), hosted 35 secondary Indigenous students on the Parkville campus.  Using the sport of track and field, the academy inspires and educates Indigenous students about pathways into university and provides a platform for students to elevate their athletics and academic aspirations, and that sport can open doors to professional opportunities.

MU Sport and AA delivered the free, five-day summer residence camp at the Sports Precinct. Students received expert coaching, learned how to build resiliency around future academic and life challenges, heard how RTB professional and student-athlete mentors developed successful, competitive sport careers, and explored City of Melbourne iconic sites such as Victoria Market, Melbourne Cricket Ground and the National Sports Museum.

A VIP dinner featured speakers Northern Territory Senator Nova Peris, CEO of the Victorian Institute of Sport Anne Marie Harrison, 2015 Paralympic World Champion Scott Reardon, ABC sports journalist Amanda Shalala, AA Head Coach Craig Hilliard, AA Junior Team Doctor Dr Masiiwa Njawaya, and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Engagement) Professor Ian Anderson. The RTB program demonstrates strong collaboration and growth between the main partners and University departments Sport, Murrup Barak, Advancement, and Chancellery; Science and Arts faculties; Trinity College, University Athletics Club, Australian Paralympic Committee, and the Victorian Institute of Sport.