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City Announces 2009 Youth Sports Scholarships
Fifteen of the City of Melville’s prized athletes had their talents recognised at the recent Youth Sports Scholarships award night (Wednesday, 28 October 2009) at the City’s Civic Centre.
The City-sponsored scholarships are awarded annually to local sportspeople between the ages of 12 and 19 who have competed at state level or above, or who have shown remarkable potential and have aspirations to compete at the highest level.
Each scholarship winner received a Scholarship Pass valid for one year, which entitles the winner to free membership at the City’s premier recreation facilities for training purposes, as well as a pack with a hat, drink bottle and towel.
Mayor Russell Aubrey said the City of Melville Youth Sports Scholarships provided a fantastic opportunity for the City’s youth to further develop their skills and take part at the highest level possible in their chosen sport. “This program helps support our young sportspeople to reach their goals,” he said. “We are constantly amazed with the talent that is in the City of Melville.”
Fifteen athletes were selected from 28 candidates from a variety of sports.
The 2009 Scholarship winners and their associated age and sport are:
|
NAME |
AGE |
SPORT |
|
Cameron Aitkin |
15 |
AFL |
|
Declan Allen |
15 |
Fencing |
|
Emily Ashton |
13 |
Swimming |
|
Emma Thillaninath |
17 |
Water Polo |
|
Georgia Melville |
16 |
Touch Rugby |
|
Jayden Smith |
15 |
Water Polo |
|
Katy Symons |
16 |
Hockey |
|
Matthew Hansen |
15 |
AFL |
|
Nicolas Mayer |
16 |
Swimming |
|
Nina Catovic |
15 |
Tennis |
|
Paul Bailey |
19 |
Swimming |
|
Ryan Walpole |
18 |
Swimming |
|
Taylor Merrutia |
16 |
Sailing |
|
Tim Geers |
15 |
Hockey |
|
Zoe Kemp |
15 |
Swimming |
Zoe Kemp, Paul Bailey, Jayden Smith and Nicolas Mayer were all scholarship winners in 2008, while Ryan Walpole and Nina Catovic have been winners for the past three and four years respectively.
Nina Catovic said the scheme provided young athletes the opportunity to design their own cutting-edge, complete conditioning program and to take advantage of the first-class facilities to develop fitness and strength.
The selection panel included Councillor Mark Reynolds and former Councillor Duncan Macphail, Community Recreation Coordinator Mick Doyle, Recreation Development Officer Cameron Taylor and Department of Sport and Recreation A/Project Officer Nicole Wills.
The panel commented on the extremely high level of applicants and was very impressed with the individuals’ achievements to date.
City of Melville residents who have aspirations to compete at the highest level and will be aged 19 and under before 1 August 2010, will be eligible for a scholarship next year.
The City of Melville Youth Sport Scholarships are advertised in July each year, with application forms available from City libraries and recreation centres or by visiting www.melvillecity.com.au. Applications close in August each year.
The City of Melville has been offering the Youth Sports Scholarships since 1994.