New Zealand Prime Minister’s Sport Scholarship recipients announced

New Zealand Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman has congratulated the recipients of this year’s Prime Minister’s Sport Scholarships.

In a statement, Dr Coleman announced “the Prime Minister’s Sport Scholarships provide financial assistance to high performance athletes, coaches, officials and support members as they juggle the demands of sport and study..

“Each year the Government invests around $4.25 million in the programme which is managed through High Performance Sport New Zealand.

“The scholarships recognise the hard work and sacrifice made by athletes, coaches, officials and support personnel. We want to help them to ensure they can combine both their sporting and academic aspirations.”

There are 493 recipients this year. 346 have been awarded to athletes, 17 to retiring athletes, 23 to coaches, 50 to officials, and 57 to support personnel.

Three ceremonies have been held across New Zealand to acknowledge the scholarship recipients. The 2016 scholarship recipients include:

• 2014 Women’s Single Sculls World Champion, Emma Twigg, who has completed a Bachelor of Communication Studies and an International Masters in Management, Law and Humanities in Sport through FIFA;
• Four time Olympian, Tour de France and Giro de Italia stage winner, Julian Dean, who is completing postgraduate studies in Sport Management;
• Black Sticks Women’s Hockey Goalkeeper, Sally Rutherford, who has completed a PhD in Physiology and Bioengineering;
• 2012 London Olympic Games bronze medallist, retired rower Storm Uru, who is completing a Masters in Finance with the London School of Economics and Political Science;
• Coaches from Cycling New Zealand and Paralympics New Zealand who are working collaboratively with renowned coach, Bill Sweetenham, on specific preparation for key events;
• International Equestrian Eventing Judge, Stuart Bishell, whose goal is to become a Championship Judge at the World Games, Olympic Games, and 4 star events.

Recipients agree to a study plan in conjunction with High Performance Sport New Zealand and can apply for up to $10,000 a year to cover academic fees. Support can also be provided to cover some study-related costs.

Further information about the Prime Minister’s Sport Scholarship programme can be found at www.hpsnz.org.nz

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