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SCHOLARSHIPS, AWARDS AND GRANTS

NEVILLE SILLITOE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP

The Neville Sillitoe Foundation Scholarship for emerging sprinters honours the legacy of one of Australia’s most celebrated athletics coaches, renowned for his work in developing some of the nation’s greatest sprinters, including Peter Norman.

SCHOLARSHIP OBJECTIVE

The aim of these scholarships is to provide support for athletes to achieve their athletic, educational and working life potential. The recipients will be expected to uphold the values Neville demonstrated over his life: commitment to his athletics coaching career and working life; support of the athletics community; and dedication to the athletes he coached.

FUNDING AND ASSOCIATED OBLIGATIONS

Up to four Neville Sillitoe Foundation Scholarships will be allocated each year through The Athletics International Trust. All scholarships will be to the value of $5000.

Successful athletes will receive the yearly scholarship in two instalments, following receipt of a progress report on how the scholarship has assisted the holder to progress both their educational or work and athletic goals.

At the completion of the scholarship period the Neville Sillitoe Scholarship holders must:

  • Provide to AI a final report indicating how the scholarship funds assisted them to progress in their education of choice or work choice and their athletic career.
  • The scholarship holder will, where practical, be asked to give a short presentation at an AI function on their progress over the past year, and aspirations for the future. 

SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA

The scholarship criteria best reflects many of the characteristics Neville held dear. Applicants need to be able to demonstrate they:

  • are an Australian citizen
  • are at least 18 years of age
  • are a promising sprinter (100m, 200m, 400m)
  • can demonstrate a commitment to athletics, as shown through participation over several seasons, including currently
  • have demonstrated improvement over recent years, with potential to achieve elite status
  • are a student attending secondary school OR a post- secondary education institution in Australia, undertaking at least a 50% load OR are working full or part time in your chosen career OR working full or part time in employment to assist in supporting yourself at this time of your life.
  • do not receive significant financial support from Athletics Australia/NASS, State Institutes of Sport or other sponsors.

Closing date for 2024 applications: Sunday 16 March 2025, emailed to denise@ease.net.au | View and download the application form here.

 

PETER NORMAN HUMANITARIAN AWARD 

Peter Norman’s legacy as an athlete and an advocate for human rights is celebrated worldwide, with Athletics Australia and USA Track and Field adopting October 9 as Peter Norman Day as a sign of respect for the famed Australian athlete. 

Nominations are taken from the Australian athletics community to recognise a fellow member whose commitment to a cause would make them worthy of consideration for the Peter Norman Humanitarian Award. Any individuals or organisation may make a nomination of any other individual. An individual may also nominate themselves if they provide referee details. To be eligible the nominee must have a direct involvement in Australian athletics. This can be as an athlete, coach, administrator, official or support personnel, of any age and at any level from grassroots involvement to the elite level. 

Applications are now closed for 2024.

 

GARY KNOKE SCHOLARSHIP

Gary Knoke was one of Australia’s finest track and field athletes who has multiple Australian Championships to his name and has also represented his country at three Olympic and four Commonwealth Games in the 400m hurdles.  The Gary Knoke Scholarship was awarded for the first time in 1986 to honour the memory of the late Gary Knoke, the first track and field coach at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).  Gary made a significant contribution to the AIS program and provided support to many of Australia’s elite and developing athletes before he lost his battle with cancer in 1984. 

The Gary Knoke Trust was set up through donations made by the former ‘Friends of the AIS’ program, which received significant support from both individuals and corporations.  Historically, the scholarship was awarded to a young Australian athlete who showed great potential in hurdle events, with the exception being Kelsey-Lee Barber in 2014, who was identified through consultation with Athletics Australia High Performance. The scholarship's aim is to provide support for a hurdler to help achieve their athletic potential. Direct financial assistance is given to an emerging athlete, awarded every two years to a young developing or elite hurdler.

Scholarship Criteria

As endorsed by Ashley Knoke [Gary's son], the Scholarship is to be awarded to: A young or emerging hurdler with the potential to break through to international level. Of the age of at least 18 years in the year of application; and Who is eligible to represent Australia internationally; and Not receiving NASS at time of award.

The Scholarship will be selected and managed by the Special Awards Committee of Athletics Australia; comprise a payment of $2000 to the recipient; be presented as part of Athletics Australia’s existing awards; and involve the Knoke family, when available, to be involved in each presentation. 

Applications are now closed for 2024.

 

ATHLETICS INTERNATIONAL RON CLARKE SCHOLARSHIP 

Ron Clarke was truly a “renaissance man”. His lifetime achievements include being a successful businessman, an environmental crusader, Mayor of the Gold Coast for eight years, a philanthropist and a devoted family man.

The aim of the scholarship is to provide support for a middle distance/distance athlete to achieve their athletic and educational potential. The recipient will be expected to uphold those values demonstrated by Ron over his life:

  • Commitment to his athletic career, his education and his subsequent working life
  • Support of the athletics community
  • Dedication to his family and other important relationships

Funding and Associated Obligations 

The Athletics International Trust has allocated up to $7,000 each year for this scholarship. The AI Awards Committee will oversee the awarding of the scholarship payments. The successful athlete will receive $3,500 at the start of the first semester of study of their scholarship period. The Ron Clarke Scholarship holder will receive a second $3,500 at the start of the second semester, following receipt by the AI Awards Committee of evidence of successful completion of the requirements of the first semester, and a progress report on how the Scholarship has assisted the holder to progress both their educational and athletic goals. 

At the completion of the scholarship period, the Ron Clarke Scholarship holder must provide to AI a final report indicating how the $7,000 assisted them to progress in their education of choice and their athletic career. The Scholarship holder will, where practical, be asked to give a short presentation at an AI function on their progress over the past year, and aspirations for the future. 

Applications are now closed for 2024.