Athlete Awards
The Athlete Awards Programme has superseded the previous "Scholarship" system. The aim of the programme is to provide support to young developing athletes. These are athletes that have the potential to be successful in the future.
Athletes are supported in a number of ways:
Funding
- Athlete Awards of the following amounts:
Gold $4500
Silver $2500
Bronze $1000
Athlete Award funds are made available to athletes in the form of grants for the following:
Athlete Education
- Athlete Education in the form of seminars or consultations at no cost to the atheltes:
o Nutrition
o Physiotherapy
o Sport Psychology/Motivation
o Training/Life Balance
o Sponsorship and Sponsors
o Media Training
o Podiatry
Procedure for Application
Athletes have to follow the following procedure to receive an award with the criteria being clear and transparent:
- Application form requested, sent out and completed. There are 2 deadlines for applications a year
- Applications collated and checked
- Consultation with High Performance Managers in the appropriate sports
- Athletes ranked in order of potential and need
- Selection committee makes final decision
- Athlete contracts issued, signed and awards presented
- Athlete responsibility clearly outlined.
Part of our goal is to promote self responsibility in these potential future champions. Each athlete contract outlines their obligations which are in place, ultimately, to help them in the future.
These obligations include:
- Regular updates and reporting to all sponsors
- Attendance at events
- Attendance at athlete education seminars and completion of relevant projects
- Submission of coach/training plans and evaluations
- Calendars of events
- They are also obliged to promote the PSIS where possible
Previously, this programme had 165 athletes on scholarship. The changes to the programme that we have made in the last year ensure:
- A more transparent selection process
- Stronger relationships with partner sports
- Making more money available to athletes by reducing the amount receiving awards, now 70 athletes
- Reductions in numbers mean a more manageable base of athletes and enable us to be more effective in our provision of support
- Clear guidelines relating to what the funding is available for i.e. sports medicine, equipment and travel relating only to training or competition
The Athlete Awards are currently awarded in the following sports:
-
Athletics
-
Yachting
-
Cycling
-
Rowing
-
Badminton
-
Triathlon
Work is being done to formalise partnerships with other sports at present. We envisage an expansion of the sports currently involved to include at least:
Squash
Judo
Swimming
Kayaking
The coaches and selection committee are attempting to look beyond straight out results by trying to recognise the underlying potential and commitment of athletes.
The Peter Snell Institute of Sport interviews all the young people granted Athlete Awards and keeps in regular contact with them, their families, and coach. The Institute attempts to be as supportive as possible in a mentoring role.