National Sports Convention announces Sports Excellence Scholarship Fund as 2022 and 2023 charity partner

The National Sports and Physical Activity Convention (NSC) has announced the Sports Excellence Scholarship Fund (SESF) as its charity partner for 2022 and 2023.

The NSC is Australia’s largest sporting and physical activity conference bringing together over 75 speakers, 70 exhibitors and normally 1,000 industry delegates over two days in July.

On the brink of a generational opportunity with Australia hosting numerous major sporting events in the next decade, the NSC partnership will see SESF will run multiple forums and host a stall during the conference.

Commenting on the partnership, NSC co-founder and Managing Director, Martin Sheppard stated “the SESF is a national sports charity close to my heart, enabling young student athletes to pursue their sporting dreams, no matter the financial barriers placed before them.

“The work they do in financially supporting the next wave of Australian sporting talent from disadvantaged backgrounds is amazing. State and national representation should not be based on your financial ability to participate.

“They have now expanded to a national charity, and that fits really nicely into our national convention focus. As an inaugural board member of this charity in 2012, this partnership really resonates with me.”

SESF Chairperson, Andrew Horton added “we are really pleased with the NSC partnership. Given the industry wide focus of the convention, this is a key opportunity for the SESF to engage with the sporting and broader physical activity network. The forums the NSC have afforded us, is key in the SESF delivering its national message.

“With one in 10 athletes selected to represent their state and country facing financial constraints, there is an urgent need to support students to continue to reach their sporting dreams. In 2022, we aim to provide a minimum of 100 scholarships nationally, however the need amongst the community is far greater.”

The NSC partnership is a significant one for the SESF as the Foundation - which helps to alleviate part of the financial burden placed on emerging talent and their families - expands its reach nationally.

The SESF is aiming for 100 scholarship recipients to be participating in the Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics in 2032.

 Scholarship recipients also have the opportunity to be mentored by SESF ambassadors such as Olympians Mack Horton, Brooke Stratton and Bec Henderson, an SESF scholarship recipient, to provide guidance on their journey.

Click here for more information on the National Sports and Physical Activity Convention via the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

Image: AESF's Nick Mooney and NSC co-founder Martin Sheppard.