via Sport Australia Hall of Fame
Twenty-six additional Aussie athletes to benefit from financial support
An additional 26 outstanding young athletes from across Australia will receive scholarships as part of this year’s Sport Australia Hall of Fame Scholarship & Mentoring Program.
The program is supported by Australian Government funding from Sport Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and has grown from offering five Scholarships since it began in 2006 to offering a total of 32 funded Scholarships in 2021.
Ten Tier 2 Scholarships have been granted to young athletes from 10 different sports, who will each receive a $5,000 sporting grant.
A further 16 young athletes, from seven states and territories, have been granted Tier 3 Scholarships and will each receive a $2,500 sporting grant.
Sport Australia Chair John Wylie AM said the Sport Australia Hall of Fame Scholarship & Mentoring Program showed the collective power of sport.
“From artistic swimming to modern pentathlon to judo, these scholarships will help more young athletes from across Australia reach the highest level of their sport. This program provides financial support and acknowledges the incredible efforts of our junior athletes, who’ve shown compassion, athletic drive and determination to chase their sporting dreams.”
Sport Australia Hall of Fame Scholarship & Mentoring Program Chair Sue Stanley OAM said she is pleased that the expansion of the Program can provide an additional 26 Australian junior athletes access to financial support.
“We couldn’t be happier to be able to provide this additional support especially during this time of uncertainty. To provide hope and encouragement to such a large group of athletes is a gift that we are exceptionally proud to give.”
NIKITA MAWHIRT, 20, WA, Modern Pentathlon said:
“I cannot put into words how grateful I am to receive a SAHOF Scholarship. It was both a surprise and a shock to receive the call as I know how many talented athletes all around Australia apply for the program. With Modern Pentathlon being such a small sport in Australia, let alone WA, having the support of SAHOF is a real honour and privilege and I can’t thank them enough for this opportunity. I’m really looking forward to training hard over summer and what will hopefully be a positive year ahead.” –Nikita Mawhirt
Scholarships would normally be presented at the annual Sport Australia Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Dinner, however, given current restrictions, the Scholarship Holders and Mentors will be meeting virtually until circumstances change.