Cosimo Cirillo’s great LEAP forward

MILDURA City and Australian Pararoos soccer player Cosimo Cirillo is Mildura’s first La Trobe Elite Athlete Program (LEAP) student.

LEAP provides elite athlete students assistance and support to combine their academic and sporting pursuits. 

Cirillo, an accounting student, said his acceptance into the program is a reward for the hard work he has put in during his soccer career.

“I am grateful to be a part of LEAP, it will assist me to pursue my soccer career and complete my degree, being Mildura’s first LEAP student is an honour and I hope I can live up to the expectations,” he said.

Cirillo has played soccer since he was five, and in recent years has stepped up to represent Australia at the International Federation of Cerebral Palsy Football (IFCPF) Championships. 

CP Football was formed in 2015 as an independent sport under the Cerebral Palsy Sport and Recreation Association.

Cirillo also volunteers in the local soccer community and used this commitment to obtain an early university offer under La Trobe’s Aspire Program.

“I volunteered to coach in the Mallee Sports Assembly’s Football For All program. I led the weekly sessions focusing on developing basic skills of the sport and social engagement,” he said. 

“The lower ATAR requirement, through the Aspire Program, alleviated the pressure of Year 12 exams. I felt honoured that my volunteering efforts were acknowledged by La Trobe.

“I chose to study accounting because I have always been interested in the financial aspects of a business. I hope to graduate as a financial accountant and work to benefit an organisation.”