Waikite's Autumn-Rain Stephens, with ball, is one of the scholarship recipients. Photo/file
Nearly 30 athletes and coaches from a diverse range of codes have been selected in the second round of 2016-2017 BayTrust Athlete and Coach Scholarships.
The scholarships, handed out by BayTrust and Sport Bay of Plenty aim to support and assist local talent to achieve their sporting goals on national and international stages, as well as allow coaches to develop new skills that can be delivered back to the community for the long-term benefit of up and coming athletes.
The BayTrust Athlete and Coach Scholarships are funded by the trust's $422,500 annual
contribution to Sport Bay of Plenty's CoachForce programme, which sees 22 CoachForce Officers from 18 codes developing other coaches who are working with thousands of athletes every week.
The scholarships are open to sports people studying and residing in the Bay of Plenty, with the intention that this high-quality sporting talent and coaching expertise is retained long-term in the region.
Athlete scholarships are available to any local athlete aged 16-23 years old who has achieved national representation in their sport, while the coach scholarships are for those individuals currently coaching at a recognised and endorsed level by their respective Regional Sporting Organisation (RSO) or equivalent body.
Sport Bay of Plenty coaching and talent development team leader Dave Clarke said the recipients were chosen because they highlighted the "exceptional sporting and coaching talent that exist within the Bay of Plenty".
"These scholarships demonstrate an appreciation for the hard work, commitment and dedication that these athletes and coaches give to their sport and communities."
Scholarship recipients
- Ora Williams (Rotorua) - Rugby Sevens
Ora has been a part of the New Zealand Development Sevens team that is competing in
Japan this year, and has also recently been contracted to the NZ Development team for the
2017/18 season.
- Autumn Rain-Stevens (Rotorua) - Rugby Sevens
Autumn is a part of the New Zealand Development Sevens team that is competing in Japan, as well as the NZ Mixed Touch team that is competing in the Trans-Tasman series against Australia on the Gold Coast.
- Luka Connor (Rotorua) - Rugby 15s
Luka has been named in the Black Ferns wider training squad for the upcoming Quad Series with Australia, England and Canada.
- Hayden Wilde (Tauranga) - Triathlon
This year is going to be a busy for Hayden, as he will compete in world cup events in Mooloolaba and New Plymouth - both with the hope of qualifying for the ITU.
- Ali Chater, Annaliese Heuvel, Georgia Dobble & Bella Uhl (Rotorua) - White Water Rafting These women are a part of the NZ white water rafting team that will be competing at the U19 White Water Rafting Championships in Japan.
- U23 NZ White Water Rafting Team (Rotorua).
The NZ rafting team, which are all from Rotorua, will compete at this year's U23 White Water Rafting World Championships in Japan.
- Jonas Tawharu (Mt Maunganui) - Surfing
Jonas is going to compete at the 2017 VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship in
Japan and will also compete in the NZ surf series.
- Elin Tawharu (Mt Maunganui) - Surfing
Elin will be competing at the World Surf League on the Gold Coast, before travelling to Japan to compete at the 2017 VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship.
- Guy Roberts (Tauranga) - Underwater Hockey
Guy has been selected as part of the NZ U19 Underwater Hockey Squad, which is competing in this year's world cup.
- Paraone Muru (Whakatane) - Hockey
Paraone has been selected in the NZ U21 squad for 2017. He has previously been a member of the NZ U19 squad that toured Australia for a test series in 2016.
- Damian Torwick (Tauranga) - Canoe Slalom
Damian will be competing in Slovakia at the 2017 ICF Canoe Slalom Junior World Championships in July, where he is hoping for a top 10 finish.
- Claudia Paterson (Tauranga) - Canoe Slalom
Claudia is a part of the NZ Junior Canoe Slalom Team which will compete at the 2017 ICF Canoe Slalom Junior World Championships in Slovakia. Claudia's goal is to make the semi-finals in the K1 division.
- Sam Munday (Rotorua) - Sport Climbing
Sam is a member of the NZ climbing team that will compete at the Oceania Championships.
- Damon Rees (Whakatane) - Motorcycle Road Racing
Damon will be competing in the road racing series in Australia, starting with the 2017
Superbike Championships where he is hoping for a top 5 finish.