The Jarrod Cunningham Youth Sport Trust is offering $2500 to an up and coming sports star in Hawke’s Bay.

The $2500 scholarship is being put up by the Trust to all recipients of the Sport Hawke’s Bay’s STARS programme over the last 12 months.

Jarrod Cunningham Youth Sport Trust co-chair Tony Maidens said the trust is looking for a “stand out junior sports person who can come up with the most compelling reason to why they deserve the cash injection.”

“In the last year 54 athletes have been given STARS funding that’s been used to fund overseas travel while representing New Zealand in their chosen sport. These athletes now have a chance to get another $2500 that can be used for anything from sport equipment, more international travel through to additional coaching support.” Maidens adds.

As part of the application, athletes need to write 300 words on why they should get the funding.

“We’re looking for reason’s such as determination to perform, what makes them stand out from others potential candidates. The Trust has a strong emphasis on how sports people act away from their sport, so that’s a small hint to what they should also write about.”

Sport Hawke’s Bay Commercial Manager, Ryan Hambleton said the scholarship is a further extension of the support of the Jarrod Cunningham Youth Sport Trust, which is also the major supporter of the STARS (Supporting Talented Athletes Reach Success) funding programme.

“We have some fantastic sporting talent in the Bay, many of which represent New Zealand. However, representing your country overseas is expensive and, in most sports, the athlete has to come up with some or all of the money to travel.

Previous scholarship winners have been Bobbi Gichard (Swimming) and squash star Rhiarne Taiapa, from Hastings Girls’ High School.

2017 recipient, Taiapa says “Being a recipient of the JCYST Scholarship for 2017 was a huge boost for myself and my parents. The time that I received the scholarship I had just had surgery for rupturing my Achilles at the NZ Junior Champs in Christchurch. My rehabilitation had been slow and steady and I’m proud to say that I was Runner-up at the North Island Junior Champs in July of this year.”

“The funds that I received through the scholarship helped me immensely with my travel costs to compete in both the Canadian Junior Open and US Junior Open later this year. I am extremely grateful for the money that I have received from the JCYST”

Entries must be submitted to Sport Hawke’s Bay by this Friday and the winner will be announced at the at the Hawke’s Bay Secondary School Sport Awards on October 29.

“Fortunately, we have trusts like Jarrod’s that want to ensure local sporting talent can reach for the stars. The scholarship is a great way to provide financial assistance that helps take away some of the burden of wearing the silver fern.” Hambleton adds.

All applications must be completed by Friday 5th October. Application forms can be found under the ‘Funding’ tab on the Sport Hawke’s Bay, Community Sport website – www.sporthb.net.nz

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