Ten athletes who show tremendous potential in their chosen Olympic sport will now be awarded a $2,000 (up from $1,000) scholarship to cover some of the expenses they incur during the year as they pursue their sporting passion. 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.
Greater Building Society chief executive Don Magin said that larger scholarships are part of a 50% increase in its funding to the Hunter Academy of Sport, to $30,000 a year. The Greater will continue to support the Academy’s tennis and athletics programs. For the first time it will also be the major sponsor of the Academy’s Annual Presentation Evening to be held on September 7.
Mr Magin said that sport is an important part of the community and the Hunter’s inspirational athletes deserved support. He said that the Greater was also proud to back people who often make great personal and financial sacrifices to represent their country and to be the best they can be.
“The team at the Greater strives to be the best they can be for the benefit of our members,” Mr Magin said.
“We think it is important to encourage the Hunter and its citizens to aim high,” he said.
The scholarships have been awarded annually for the past 16 years. During that time 70 athletes have been supported in their preparations to represent Australia at the world’s premier sporting event.
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.
Last year’s winner’s included three first-time scholarship winners - Benn Harradine who represented Australia at Beijing in discus, Shannon Jones who plays water polo for the Hunter Hurricanes, and high jumper Trudy Thompson. Other winners were: Katie Rae Ebzery – Basketball [CHARLESTOWN]; Hugh McLeod – Rowing [HAMILTON]; Nathan Outteridge – Sailing [WANGI WANGI]; Jack Rickards - Gymnastics [CARDIFF]; Jenni Screen - Basketball [HAMILTON SOUTH]; Brendon Sexton– Triathlon [LOUTH PARK]; Ty Swadling – Trampolining [CHARLESTOWN]; and Trudy Thompson – Track and Field, High Jump [GOROKAN].
The scholarships are managed for the Greater by the Hunter Academy of Sport. Application forms are available from any branch of the Greater Building Society, its website (www.greater.com.au) or by calling the Academy of Sport on 4926 4892. Applications close September 25. Winners will be announced in November. The London Games will be held from July 27 to August 12, 2012 where athletes will compete in 26 sports.
Media information: For information and athlete interviews contact Ken Clifford, Hunter Academy of Sport on 4926 4892. For Greater comment, contact Craig Eardley, ChurchComm, on 0437 477 493.
