Snowboarder Jesse Parkinson receives Tier 1 SAHOF Scholarship

The Sport Australia Hall of Fame (SAHOF) today announced the athletes selected for its 2023 Scholarship & Mentoring Program, with three Olympic gold medallists, an NBA Champion, an Australian surfing legend and a cricket great to mentor our next generation of sporting stars.

Up and coming park and pipe snowboarder Jesse Parkinson is one of six athletes selected in Tier 1 of the program and will receive $10,000 to go towards their training and competition, as well as one-on-one mentoring from some of the greats of Australian sport. 

The three-tiered scholarship program, which is backed by the Australian Sports Commission and the Australian Institute of Sport, supports up-and-coming athletes on their journey to excellence and success on the world stage, awarding $150,000 in funding to 32 athletes each year.

Parkinson’s mentor will be Sport Australia Hall of Fame member, 1991 Rip Curl Pro winner and Surfing Australia Hall of Fame Member, Barton Lynch.

“I don’t think I can overstate what an amazing opportunity it is to receive this scholarship and have access to a mentor at this time in my life, particularly when that mentor is Barton Lynch,” Parkison said.

“He’s had incredible success in a sport that is notoriously demanding and been just as successful in life outside of sport.

“Throughout my life I have had people who have filled the role of a mentor whether  in an official capacity or just by good fortune for me and it helped shape the person I am today. 

"It will be an invaluable experience to learn from someone who has faced the challenges of competing at the highest level like constantly being away from home and family, managing competition stress and injury, and keeping things fun and fresh when training and competing in high consequence environments. I’m beyond grateful and excited.” he said

Each Tier 1 scholarship holder will receive funding from the Sport Australia Hall of Fame for 12-15 months which can be used on such things as travel, training and specialist support needed to help them reach the highest level in their chosen sport, along with unrivalled access to personal guidance from their allocated mentor.

Sport Australia Hall of Fame Chair and legend of Australian Sport, John Bertrand AO, said: “The Scholarship and Mentoring Program shows the power of how sport unites. Our athletes having direct access to Australia’s best is priceless, and to have them paired with a mentee from a different sport is one of a kind. The program wouldn’t exist without our Members.

“They encourage these young people to excel in their athletic performances, face their fears and share personal, untold life stories.”

The SAHOF Scholarship & Mentoring Program is supported by the Australian Sports Commission and the Australian Institute of Sport.

Australian Sports Commission (ASC) Chair, Josephine Sukkar AM, said the ASC was proud to support the Sport Australia Hall of Fame Scholarship & Mentoring Program.

“This program has supported so many athletes, with many going on to represent Australia on the world stage. To see another 32 elite young athletes recognised for their talent, drive and determination is inspiring.

“As we enter the green-and-gold decade of major international sporting events on home soil, this financial support will no doubt provide extra incentive for young athletes to help them chase their sporting dreams.

“I congratulate all 2023 scholarship recipients and wish them every success with their sporting endeavours.” 

Since the unique Scholarship & Mentoring Program’s inception in 2006, SAHOF has benefited 173 athletes in 53 sports.