Sport Australia Hall of Fame to ‘embrace the future’ with scholarship program

From young speedsters to Olympic aspirants, five of Australia’s most promising young athletes will benefit from the wealth of experience of our nation’s very best as a part of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame 2019 Scholarship and Mentoring Program.

Now in its 12th year, the program is designed to help young Australians reach the highest levels of their sport, by providing encouragement and funding over a 14-month period.

The five athletes chosen for 2019 include Paralympic distance runner Jaryd Clifford, Olympic snowboarder Tess Coady, rising rower Giorgia Patten, promising diver Cassiel Rousseau and motor racing prodigy Cameron Shields.

With one month to go until the Sport Australia Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala Dinner, the successful recipients will be presented their scholarships by their respective mentors on Thursday, 11th October 2018 at Palladium at Crown, Melbourne.

The dinner’s theme to ‘honour the past, celebrate the present, embrace the future’ suits the program perfectly as successful recipients receive one-on-one personal mentoring by a current member of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. Recipients will also be awarded a $5,000 sporting expenses grant.

The Sport Australia Hall of Fame 2019 Scholarship and Mentoring Program

“I feel extremely privileged,” said Tess Coady, who at 17 was the youngest Australian member to qualify for the 2018 Winter Olympic Team, but unfortunately sustained a knee injury at training and had to withdraw before she could compete.

“I am really looking forward to meeting and getting to know my mentor Nick Green, and I feel he will be able to offer me some extremely valuable advice.

"This scholarship is a really great opportunity for me and will be very helpful for the future of my career.”

Coady, who only started competing internationally in 2017, rose to prominence after claiming both the big air and slopestyle junior world championship titles in 2017.

“It is a great privilege to be able to pass on some of my knowledge to Tess,” said mentor Nick Green, member of Australia’s legendary ‘Oarsome Foursome’.

“Having teenage daughters of my own, I know that I will be able to listen to Tess and support and guide her growth as an athlete.”

Ski and Snowboard Australia CEO, Michael Kennedy, said “Tess Coady is an emerging star of the International Snowboard scene.

"Having won double Junior World Titles in 2017 she qualified for the Australian Olympic team as its youngest member.

"Despite suffering a bitter setback when she injured herself in training at the Olympics in Korea, the manner in which she handled that disappointment and has committed herself to her recovery and to her sport shows exactly the kind of character required to be a champion.

“We are excited for Tess’s future and particularly the opportunity for her to be mentored by an Australian sporting champion as part of the SAHOF mentor program.

"She is deserving recipient and we are excited to watch her journey towards Beijing 2022 and beyond," said Kennedy.

Geoff Henke AO, Chairman, Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWIA) also commented on Tess' scholarship saying "I can’t think of anyone more worthy of this recognition by the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. This scholarship is bound to give Tess further encouragement to succeed in the future.”

About The Sport Australia Hall of Fame Scholarship and Mentoring Program

Since the introduction of the Program in 2006, 76 scholarships across 34 sports have been awarded (view full list).

Such is the success of the program that 20 past and present scholarship recipients recently represented Australia at the 2018 Winter Olympic & Paralympic Games and the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games where past recipients captured six golds, seven silvers and one bronze medal.

Notable graduates of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame Scholarship and Mentoring Program include Patrick Mills (basketball), Lauren Mitchell (gymnastics), Jessicah Schipper (swimming), Dylan Alcott (wheelchair basketball), Caroline Buchanan (BMX), Michael Hepburn (cycling), Ashleigh Gentle (triathlon), Annabelle Smith (diving) and Dani Samuels (athletics).

Scholarship holders have been privileged to be mentored by such Australian sporting greats as; Catherine Freeman OAM, Susie O’Neill AM, Andrew Gaze AM, Adam Gilchrist AM, Robert de Castella AO MBE and Sport Australia Hall of Fame Chair John Bertrand AO.

The scholarships will be formally presented at the Sport Australia Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala Dinner on Thursday 11th October 2018 at Palladium at Crown, Melbourne.

2018 will mark the 34th edition of Australian sport’s night of nights and will be highlighted by the induction of eight Australian sporting icons, from on and off the field, into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.

In addition, one existing Hall of Fame Member will be elevated to Legend status, becoming the 40th official Legend of Australian sport.

The night will also celebrate the announcement of ‘The Don’ Award to the athlete or team who, through their performance and example over the past 12 months, has most inspired the nation.

Established in 1985, the Sport Australia Hall of Fame plays a vital role in preserving and perpetuating Australia’s rich sporting heritage, whilst promoting the values of courage, sportsmanship, integrity, mateship, persistence, and excellence, all underpinned by generosity, modesty, pride and ambition.

SAHOF Media
https://www.sahof.org.au/