| Australia. Yachting Australia reaffirms on-going support to world class competitors |
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| Monday, 18 September 2006 | |
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Lara Watts: Yachting Australia today announced funding of $35,000 has been made available to support Australian’s competing in ISAF International and Recognised Classes World Championships. The Yachting Australia Board will consider applications received from athletes who have finished in the top five (or 10% of the fleet, which ever is the greater) overall placing at the class World Championships from 1st April, 2006 through to 31st March, 2007. The grants program covers a broad spectrum of classes including dinghies, keelboats, multihulls and windsurfers and is made possible by funding provided to Yachting Australia by the Australian Sports Commission. The level of funding to be granted to each athlete will be dependant on the geographical zone in which the event was competed, the grade of event and the overall placing achieved. Recipients must be Silver or Youth members at the time of the event concerned. Steve Brewin, 30 year old A Class Catamaran sailor from Sydney, is one athlete who has benefited from the grant three times. Steve commented “I started sailing 20 years ago with my father and it has become my passion. I raced in the 2001, 2003 and 2005 A Class Worlds and without the funding I would have been stretching it to compete overseas”. Steve continued on to say “The grant went most of the way to paying for my airfare which I really appreciated. It can mean the difference between affording to compete overseas or missing out altogether”. Andrew Plympton, Yachting Australia President said “The main aim of the grants is to provide ongoing financial support to our world class competitors. This will ensure our athletes have the opportunity to focus on achieving great results rather than worry about the costs associated with competing at a world class level”. He went on to say “It’s important to note the applications will be reviewed by the Yachting Australia Board as soon as possible after the closing date of 7th May, 2007. If successful, the grant will be paid retrospectively, based on the athlete’s previous World Championship campaign”. Yachting Australia’s Sport Services Manager, Glen Stanaway commented “The funding is in addition to the administration and coaching services Yachting Australia already offers its members. We’re also committed to supporting National Teams in Match and Team Racing, Australian Championships and events, as well as the implementation of the National Youth Development Policy”. The funding is not applicable to Olympic or Paralympic classes, ISAF Youth World’s or World Championships where Australian athletes already receive funding or coaching support from Yachting Australia. The updated International & Recognised Classes Funding Policy and application form are available on the YA website – www.yachting.org.au. |
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| Last Updated ( Monday, 18 September 2006 ) |
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