Prime Minister's Scholarships for Athletics Announced

Sport and Recreation Minister Murray McCully today announced the athletes, coaches and support team members who have received Prime Minister’s Sport Scholarships for 2011.

Twenty one current Athletics New Zealand athletes have received scholarships, along with six coaching and support team personnel.

The Prime Minister's Sport Scholarships help sportspeople pursue tertiary study or professional development while continuing to strive for sporting success. The programme is administered by Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC), which receives applications through national sport organisations and the New Zealand Academy of Sport.

Mr McCully said the programme recognised the commitment made by New Zealand’s sports people.

“Coaches and support team members use these scholarships to develop professionally while continuing to contribute to elite level sport. For the athletes, these scholarships assist those wanting to both train and study by helping ease the financial burden of doing both,” he said.

In 2011, a total of 482 scholarships across 32 sports have been awarded. The scholarships are going to 373 athletes, 26 coaches, 56 support team members and 27 officials.

A total of $4.25 million is allocated in each year. Athletes receive up to $10,000 for tertiary fees and a living allowance of up to $2000 per six months while coach, official and support team member recipients can get up to $50,000 each year for up to three years.

As part of the Prime Minister's Athlete Scholarship programme, athletes may have the chance to study after they are de-carded and/or retire. This separate scholarship is known as the Prime Minister's Athlete Gold Level Scholarship. Four Athletics New Zealand athletes who have retired from international competition have received a Gold Level scholarship.

Award ceremonies will be held throughout 2011 in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.

Prime Minister’s Athlete Scholarships
Kristie Baillie, Morrinsville
Glen Ballam, Invercargill
Adrian Blincoe, Overseas
Scott Burch, Palmerston North
Michael Cochrane, Tauranga
Sarah Cowley, Auckland
Stuart Farquhar, Hamilton
Nikki Hamblin, Cambridge
Alex Jordan, Christchurch
Andrea Koenen, Auckland
Elizabeth Lamb, Auckland
Hayden McLaren, Christchurch
Caroline Mellsop, Whanganui
Joseph Millar, Tauranga
Hannah Newbould, Christchurch
Aaron Pulford, Thames
Matthew Robinson, Invercargill
Anna Roche, Wellington
Angie Smit, Rangiora
Danielle Trevis, Auckland
Frazer Wickes, Auckland

Prime Minister’s Coach Scholarships
Maria Hassan, Rangiora

Prime Minister’s Support Team Scholarships
Gavin Clearkin (NZAS-NI), Auckland, Nutrition
Matt Kritz (NZAS-NI), Auckland, Strength & Conditioning
Helen Littleworth (NZAS-SI), Dunedin, Physiotherapy
Terry Lomax (Ath NZ), Waikanae, Programme Development
Mike McGuigan (NZAS-SI), Auckland, Power Science

Prime Minister’s Gold Scholarships
Beatrice Faumuina, Auckland
Callum Harland, National Park
Melissa Moon, Wellington
Jason Stewart, Auckland