Sporting scholarships recognise local talent

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BayTrust and Sport Bay of Plenty have announced the recipients of the first round of the 2015-16 BayTrust Sport Scholarships.

The scholarships recognise both athletes and coaches, aiming to support and assist Bay of Plenty sporting talent to achieve on the national and international sporting stage.

The BayTrust Athlete scholarships are rewarded to: Cody Stevens, (Tauranga) - Elite BMX, Jonus Tawharu, (Mt Maunganui) - Surfing, Alisha Winstanley, (Papamoa) - Waterpolo, Malia Josephson, (Papamoa) - Waterpolo, James Thwaite, (Tauranga) - Canoe Slalom, Luke Robinson, (Tauranga) - Canoe Slalom, Dan Munro, (Tauranga) - Canoe Slalom, Nathan Johnston, (Rotorua) - Mountain Biking, Amber Johnston, (Rotorua) - Mountain Biking, Kelcy Ballantyne, (Tauranga) - Volleyball, Joel Ropitini, (Rotorua) - Volleyball, Daniel Kilpatrick, (Omokoroa) - Volleyball, Daniel Michael, (Rotorua) - Volleyball,

Further recipients are: Emma Flynn, (Mt Maunganui) - Volleyball, Perry Preston, (Mt Maunganui) - Volleyball, Max Schroder, (Tauranga) - Volleyball, Jodie Allely, (Lynmore) - Trampoline, Jayden Sargent, Reuben Taylor, (Rotorua) - Touch Rugby, Eva Morris, Jazzlee Thomas, Sarsha Younger, (Tauranga) - Synchronised Swimming, Marcus Barclay, (Rotorua) - Archery, Keegan Wright, (Rotorua) - Mountain Biking, David Beukes, (Whakatane) - Rowing, Lenny Jenkins, (Whakatane) - Rowing, Amy Gabb, (Tauranga) - Karate, Shane Davies, (Gate Pa) - Wheelchair Basketball.

The BayTrust Coach scholarship recipients are: Claudia Cameron, (Tauranga) - Riding for the Disabled, Jared Gravatt, (Whakatane) - Squash, Chris Willett, (Papamoa) - Triathlon, Alastair Johnson, (Rotorua) - Swimming, Charles Williams, (Tauranga) - Cricket, Sam Thompson, (Rotorua) - Mountain Biking, Mid Island Gymsports, Volleyball Bay of Plenty.

The Scholarships are funded from BayTrust's $422,500 p.a. contribution to Sport Bay of Plenty's CoachForce programme.

The Athlete Scholarship applications recognise young athletes from the Bay of Plenty aged 16-23 who have achieved national representation at their sport.

The Coach Scholarships are for coaches currently coaching at a recognised and endorsed level by their respective Regional Sporting Organisation or equivalent body.

Applications highlight the exceptional sporting and coaching talent that exists within the Bay region and the scholarships demonstrate an appreciation for the hard work, commitment and dedication athletes and coaches give to their sport and communities.