Inspire Foundation granting ceremony tonight by PETER JONES
The careers of five talented young Marlburians received a considerable and timely boost at the ASB Centre tonight.
The Inspire Foundation Marlborough, a registered charity dedicated to helping the province's young talent, announced financial grants and their on-going support for athlete Lucy Sheat, rower Angus McFarlane, golfer Chas Craig, bagpiper Brett McKeown and triathlete Connor Guillemot.
The quintet all have major assignments on their immediate agenda. Sheat will compete at the World Junior Championships in Finland, McFarlane the World Under- 23 Championships in Poland, Craig at the Australasian qualifying school, McKeown the World Championships in Scotland and Guillemot at the World Championships in Australia.
All five delivered heartfelt acceptance speeches, McFarlane by way of video from his training base at Lake Karapiro.
Sheat said being involved with the Foundation was "a privilege”. "Funding a trip to Finland isn’t the easiest task, so to receive this grant means the world to me.
"Attending the junior world champs is another step towards my long-term goal of making the Olympics and continuing on this incredible journey, so I am truly thankful you are making it possible for me to get there.”
This handful of motivated young achievers are the second batch of grantees to be recognised since the Foundation was launched in Blenheim during November 2017. Mountainbiker Liv Bishop, singer Olivia Sheat, and squash player Quinn Udy were the first to receive Foundation backing.
Guest speakers at the ASB Centre tonight were Barry Maister, winner of hockey gold at the 1976 Olympics, plus London Games rowing champion Joseph Sullivan, recently named as the Foundation’s first Ambassador.
Both men gave inspirational and emotional addresses to the packed granting ceremony crowd, sharing their recipes for sporting success and offering motivational words.
The Marlborough-based organization is modelled on the successful Inspire Foundation in Canterbury, which has given away $800,000 since it began six years ago.
Former Olympian Barry Maister explained why he rated tennis superstar Roger Federer as one of his sporting greats.
The Foundation grants funds twice a year and successful applicants may apply for further grants each year. Applications open in July.
Grants are available to anyone aged 15-23, who have lived in Marlborough for at least three years and who have demonstrated extraordinary ability or potential in sport, arts, IT, design, music, science, research, education or community service.
Applicants can contact the Inspire Foundation Marlborough website at http://marlborough.inspirefoundation.co.nz or ring Mark Davis on 0275980752.