New Scholarship For Young Taupo Sporting Stars

The Mizuno Half Marathon Society has opened applications for a new sporting scholarship for elite young athletes.

The proceeds of the annual Mizuno Half Marathons are distributed back to the community through donations to voluntary groups and the scholarship is an extension of its current Sports Fund which provides financial grants to support young sports people and sporting groups within the Taupo district.

“The Mizuno Half Marathon Elite Scholarship of $2,000 is aimed to give financial assistance to a Taupo athlete who is at the top of their chosen field – it is for the ‘crème de la crème’ of young athletes,” said Wayne Reardon, Event Director of the Mizuno Half Marathon and Off-Road Half Marathon held annually in August and September respectively.

“It will not necessarily be awarded every year, although depending on the calibre of applications in some years, it may be awarded to two applicants.”

Athletes aged between 16 and 18 who are still attending school may apply for this one-off scholarship – the funds can be used at the athlete’s discretion to assist them in achieving their goals.

The award will be judged by the Taupo Half Marathon Society and will be awarded at the Taupo District Sports Awards – applications close on 22 October 2010.

Young athletes aged 13 years and older and clubs can also apply for grants through the Sports Fund which provides grants to those achieving at a high level in their chosen sport – they may apply for funding to assist with expenses for attending national or international competition, attending or organising training camps, or specialised training or coaching over and above that normally available within their club.

“Last year we were delighted to distribute over $21,000 to help athletes reach their full potential - beneficiaries included Ironkidz, Taupo Harrier Club, Taupo Yacht Club and the Interschool Cross Country as well as individuals such as Mitch Nairn, Ellie Stevens, Rose Battersby, Nicole van der Kaay, Sarah and Glen Fraser, Mickey Abraham, Ethan Ball and Patrick McCarthy, “ continued Wayne.

“Applications for this round of the sport fund close on 30 November 2010.”

“Another important feature of the Mizuno Half Marathons is its contribution to voluntary and sporting groups – this year, we have donated $9,500 to Bike Taupo for the upkeep of the W2K track, which is used in the Mizuno Off-Road Half Marathon.”
“Similarly, the Kinloch Community Association received $1240 for upkeep of the Whangamata Stream Track and Kawakawa Bay tracks and donations of $750 were made to other community groups for their voluntary efforts during the Mizuno Off-Road Half Marathon,” he concluded.

For more information and application forms for the Elite Sport Scholarship and the Sports Fund, please go to www.taupohalfmarathon.org.nz or contact Marion Fournier on 027 569 0302