What: Greater Building Society Olympic Scholarships Award

When: Thursday 6 November, 2008 @ 10.30am

Where: Souths Leagues Club, Llewellyn Street, Merewether

With the Beijing Games over some of the Hunter's best Olympic hopes have today received a boost as they commence preparations for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Ten athletes who have shown tremendous potential in their chosen Olympic sport have each been awarded a $1,000 Greater Building Society Sport Scholarship. They will also receive advice from Hunter Academy of Sport consultants in areas such as sports psychology, nutrition, physical fitness, injury prevention and injury treatment.

There are three first-time scholarship winners this year. Benn Harradine who represented Australia at Beijing in discus, Shannon Jones who plays water polo for the Hunter Hurricanes, and high jumper Trudy Thompson.

The annual scholarships are managed for the Greater by the Hunter Academy of Sport. The Academy's chief executive Ken Clifford said competition for the scholarships was fierce with the judges having their most difficult decision for a number of years.

“The Hunter has some standout athletes with tremendous potential to be selected for London and to achieve great results in events leading up to the 2012 Games,” Mr Clifford said.

He said he knows Nathan Outteridge, the 22 year old sailor from Wangi Wangi, is keen to start preparing for London after his disappointing final race that cost him Gold in Beijing.

Greater Building Society chairman Ian Nelmes said the scholarships were now in their 16^th year. Mr Nelmes said representing Australia at the Olympics costs athletes and their families a tremendous amount in personal sacrifice of time and resources.

“These scholarships are one small way the Greater and its members can help local athletes to live their dream, to be the best they can be at their chosen sport.”

Seven of Australia's 2008 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic teams were current or former Greater Sports Scholarship holders. Angie Bainbridge won a gold medal in swimming, Jenni Screen won silver in basketball, while Natalie Ward and Belinda Wright picked up bronze in softball.

The London Games will be held from July 27 to August 12, 2012 where athletes will compete in 26 sports.

2008 –2009 GREATER BUILDING SOCIETY SPORT SCHOLARSHIPS

Katie Rae Ebzery – 18 Years – Basketball [CHARLESTOWN]

National under 19 representative at World Titles in 2007. Currently playing in Women's NBL (National basketball League) with Dandenong Rangers, and previously played in this league in the AIS team.

Benn Harradine - 26 years - Track and Field (Discus) [ELEEBANA]

2008 Olympian. Top 10 world ranking in 2008. Broke a 30 year old national record in 2008.

Shannon Jones - 17 years -Water Polo [BLACKALLS PARK]

Member of the Australian Youth team which has competed successfully in international competitions in 2008 and which will be playing in the 2009 World Championships. Played for the Hunter Hurricanes in the National Water Polo League.

Hugh McLeod – 22 Years – Rowing [HAMILTON]

Member of the Australian Lightweight Quadruple Scull Crew at three world championships with the following results – 2005 - 5th, 2006 – 3rd and 2007 – 4th. A member of the 2008 Shadow Olympic Team.

Nathan Outteridge – 22 Years – Sailing [WANGI WANGI]

Sailing in the Olympic 49er class. 2008 World Champion. Finished in third place in the 2007 World Titles. 2008 Olympian – finished in 5th position after capsizing twice when in the gold medal position.

Jack Rickards – 14 Years – Gymnastics [CARDIFF]

Represented Australia in the under 18 Division at the International Junior Challenge in Berlin winning Gold on Pommel in a field of 63 competitors. Selected in the 2008 Senior AIS/Olympic training squad.

Jenni Screen – 26 Years – Basketball [HAMILTON SOUTH]

Olympic Silver medallist in Beijing in 2008. Member of the Australian Opals team which won the World Title in 2006.

Brendon Sexton – 23 Years – Triathlon [LOUTH PARK]

Selected in the 2008 Australian Triathlon Olympic Shadow Squad and in the National Elite Team to compete at the 2008 World Championships. Won Australian Emerging Athlete Award in Triathlon in 2007.

Ty Swadling – 20 Years – Trampolining [CHARLESTOWN]

Finished 8th at the 2008 World Titles. This is the first time in 10 years that Australia has had a finalist in an individual world championship event. Gained two Bronze medals in teams events at the 2008 World Titles.

Trudy Thompson – 18 Years – Track and Field – High Jump [GOROKAN]

Selected in the Australian Team which competed in the 2007 IAAF World Youth Championships. Has competed with success at a number of state and national championships in recent years.