Set for Success | Oboya Receives SAHOF Scholarship

Rising star Bendere Oboya is set to join forces with three-time Olympic champion Stephanie Rice in 2022, after today being announced as one of six recipients of Sport Australia Hall of Fame’s (SAHOF) Tier 1 Scholarship and Mentoring Program.

The initiative is the nation’s leading sports scholarship program, providing 32 scholarships and $150,000 in funding to future stars in their pursuit of excellence on the world stage thanks to support from Sport Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport.

With Olympic and World Athletics Championship experience under her belt at 21-years-old, Oboya says the timely support will assist her with her new beginnings in Melbourne as she targets fresh goals both on and off the track – progressing her athletic career and studying a Certificate III in Individual Support (ageing, home, and community).

“To be a successful Sport Australia Hall of Fame Scholarship holder means the world to me as I have just started to learn how to balance school and athletics with my everyday life,” she said.

“Having the support of someone such as Steph Rice just couldn’t have come at a better time, and I am so grateful to have her help me pave my way to success both on and off the track.”

The excitement is not just limited to Oboya, with Rice eager to grasp the opportunity to work with one of Australia’s brightest young prospects.

“I remember during the Tokyo Olympics walking past the TV and seeing her [Oboya] post-race interview and I was instantly magnetised by her. She was somebody I really wanted to get to know and when I found out that she would be the person that I would be working with, it felt like a nice universal coincidence,” she said.

“The thing I’m most looking forward to through our mentorship is creating a safe space for both of us, to be vulnerable and build trust. The biggest gift I can give her is a safe space to talk.”

Athletics Australia Chief Executive Officer, Peter Bromley, says the scholarship will be of great benefit to Oboya after bursting onto the scene as the second fastest junior in Australian history before making her maiden Olympic appearance just two years later.

“We’re absolutely thrilled that Bendere has been included in this group of athletes selected for the Sport Australia Hall of Fame Scholarship & Mentoring Program,” he said.

“At just 21, she has so much more to give and we believe being part of this program will help her realise her potential to become an Australian track and field great. Thank you to SAHOF for this opportunity for Bendere.

“To be mentored by an Australian Olympic legend such as Stephanie Rice is an incredible honour for any athlete and we’re looking forward to seeing Bendere learn from the program and catapult to the next stage of her career.”

The program will run officially for 14 months, with many past relationships in the program’s 15-year history still running strong to this day.  

SAHOF will announce their Tier 2 and Tier 3 Scholarship Holders in the coming weeks. Tier 2 scholarships provide 10 athletes with a $5,000 sporting expenses grant each, while Tier 3 provides 16 athletes with $2,500 sporting grants each.

By Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted: 4/10/2021