Neville Sillitoe Foundation Scholarship unveiled on Peter Norman Day

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.

Launching today on Peter Norman Day, this scholarship recognises the profound impact Sillitoe had on not only Norman’s life but the lives of countless other athletes. Throughout his career, he coached Olympians and Australian champions, with an impressive record of athletes who dominated national sprint titles.

Sillitoe’s passion extended beyond elite athletes, having committed to mentoring and coaching athletes at state, club and school levels where he invested his time, expertise, and sometimes his personal funds to ensure his athletes reached their potential.

Thanks to his generous bequest to Athletics International, the scholarship will now provide annual support to emerging sprint athletes, continuing his lifelong endeavour of nurturing young talent to achieve their full potential. This prestigious award will offer financial assistance to help promising athletes achieve their dreams, just as Neville dedicated his life to helping so many do the same.

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 Sillitoe 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.    

Each scholarship will be to the value of $5,000.

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 Sillitoe 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.