The Regional Academies of Sport Ltd (RAS Ltd) is excited to announce the recipients of the 2024 Santos Scholarship Program, made possible through a groundbreaking partnership with Santos. This collaboration is set to provide critical support to regional athletes, helping them achieve excellence in their sporting pursuits.
The scholarships, comprising of the Athlete Excellence Scholarship and the Regional Athlete Assistance Scholarship, aim to reduce financial barriers while offering access to elite coaching and development opportunities. Together, these initiatives underline RAS Ltd’s commitment to fostering the next generation of sporting talent in regional communities.
Chief Executive Officer of RAS Ltd, Brett O’Farrell, highlighted the significance of the partnership:
“This partnership with Santos is transformational for the Regional Academies of Sport and the athletes we support. These scholarships are not just about funding; they’re about creating opportunities for athletes to develop, thrive, and achieve their potential. With Santos’ backing, we can continue to deliver meaningful support to our athletes while identifying and nurturing new talent,” Mr. O’Farrell said.
Scholarship Recipients
Regional Athlete Assistance Scholarship:
- Amber Clark – Swimming, Hunter Academy of Sport
- Bevan Smith – Swimming, Hunter Academy of Sport
- Ellazae Elers – Netball, Hunter Academy of Sport
- Emma Loveday – Hockey, Hunter Academy of Sport
- Giselle Geurs – Basketball, Central Coast Academy of Sport
- Lalie Conway – Tennis, Central Coast Academy of Sport
- Madeline Platt – Triathlon, Hunter Academy of Sport
- Rachel Azzopardi – Hockey, Hunter Academy of Sport
- Veljko Maksimovic – Tennis, Hunter Academy of Sport
- Zachary Thomson – Athletics, Hunter Academy of Sport
- Zoe Kneller – Hockey, Central Coast Academy of Sport
Athlete Excellence Scholarship:
- Albert Forbes – Hockey, Hunter Academy of Sport
- Aleksander Gillon – Swimming, Hunter Academy of Sport
- Caitlin Rose – Cycling, Hunter Academy of Sport
- Christine Fernance – Hockey, Hunter Academy of Sport
- Harrison Rodgers – Baseball, Hunter Academy of Sport
- Jack Smith – Tennis, Hunter Academy of Sport
- Logan Tupaea – Basketball, Central Coast Academy of Sport
- Matilda Percival – Netball, Hunter Academy of Sport
- Oliver Richards – Mountain Bike, Hunter Academy of Sport
- Ruby Sauvage – Cycling, Hunter Academy of Sport
- Sarah Stokes – Athletics, Hunter Academy of Sport
- Tahlia Goy – Surf Life Saving, Central Coast Academy of Sport
- Tayla Bryant – Athletics, Hunter Academy of Sport
- William Dobbins – Basketball, Hunter Academy of Sport
- Xavier Perry – Athletics, Central Coast Academy of Sport
- Zahli Fisher – Athletics, Central Coast Academy of Sport
- Zane Edwards – Athletics, Hunter Academy of Sport
Beyond these scholarships, Santos is also the major supporter of the RAS Ltd Indigenous Talent Identification Days, an innovative initiative providing over 100 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students across regional NSW the chance to showcase their abilities.
Santos Executive Vice President Eastern Australia and Papua New Guinea, Brett Darley, congratulated the recipients, who are all talented young athletes from the local region.
“By providing financial assistance, we are hoping to remove some of the economic hurdles that many athletes face when they are juggling intensive training and competition schedules,” Mr Darley said.
“I am delighted our support will help aspiring sport stars in the Hunter reach their full potential. Santos has a 70-year history of working in partnership with community organisations to support initiatives that provide lasting benefits to local communities,” he said.
This partnership exemplifies the shared vision of RAS Ltd and Santos to strengthen regional sport, support athletes in their journeys, and foster the social and cultural fabric of their communities.
