The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games legacy program to support indigenous student athletes enters its second year and applications are now open.
The Ron Clarke Griffith Futures Scholarship enters its second year and applications are now open to help provide financial support to two young Indigenous student athletes who are studying at Griffith University.
Named in honour of a legend of Australian sport Ron Clarke AO MBE who was passionate about the Commonwealth Games and education, the scholarship continues Ron’s enduring legacy in Australian sport and his impact on the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
In honouring the memory of Ron Clarke AO MBE, Commonwealth Games Australia and Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games partner Griffith University have combined to introduce the scholarship which is designed to support two young indigenous student athletes to study at Griffith University, that commenced in 2021.
Swimmer Bianca Crisp, a proud Wiradjuri woman, and netballer Beryl Friday, a proud Kuku Nyungkul woman, were the inaugural recipients of the Ron Clarke Griffith Futures Scholarship.
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Griffith University has been the choice of education for many Commonwealth Games Australia team members over the years, including eight-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist Emma McKeon OAM, Gold Coast 2018 silver medallist in the hammer throw Matt Denny, two-time Gold Coast 2018 gold medallist Madison de Rozario, and eight-time Commonwealth Games medallist Cameron McEvoy.
Gold Coast 2018 weightlifter and Griffith University alumni Brandon Wakeling, who graduated with a Bachelor of Business in 2016, is excited for fellow Indigenous athletes to have opportunities at the University.
“I work as an ambassador for Deadly Choices, and what I talk about in my role is building pathways for exceeding the boundaries of what our Indigenous population can do,” Wakeling said.
“So to have more of a showing at the University, and to really push these two athletes to be the best that they can be both on and off of the court and the water, is going to be a massive plus for the Indigenous community.”
Olympic gold medallist and Griffith Sports College Director Duncan Free OAM said the scholarship will provide an opportunity to athletes who may not have ever thought university study was an option.
“Australia has witnessed some remarkable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes over the years and being able to assist with tertiary studies and career paths is something close to Griffith. Athletes can often find it financially challenging competing at a high level and study at the same time. This scholarship will allow this to happen and allow the athletes to achieve great things both in the field of sport and in the classroom.” Free said.
“The Griffith Sports College will work closely with Gumurrii, Griffith’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support unit, in ensuring that the scholarship athletes are well supported throughout their university journey through to graduation, and beyond.
“The Sports College are proud of the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes in the program and look forward to using this scholarship as a stepping stone to attract even more developing and high achieving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes.”
The Ron Clarke Griffith Futures Scholarship will be continue in trimester 1, 2022.
Two scholarships will be awarded to two students (one female and one male).
The value of each scholarship is $11,000 per year for the duration of their degree and/or a maximum of four years whichever is the lesser.
In order to be eligible for the Ron Clarke Griffith Futures Scholarship, applicants:
Must be an Australian Citizen.
Must be either, eligible for admission to any of Griffith University’s undergraduate degree programs in 2022 or be currently enrolled in any Griffith University’s undergraduate degree programs.
Must be a student that identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
Must be an elite athlete competing in a Commonwealth Games sport and be a member of the Griffith Sports College, or be eligible and have applied for membership.
Must be experiencing financial hardship and/or educational disadvantage.
The full criteria, including the tertiary admission requirements and application details, can be found below:
Ron Clarke Griffith Futures Scholarship (Supported by Commonwealth Games Australia)
Applications for the 2022 Ron Clarke Griffith Futures Scholarship closing date is 4pm Monday 7 March 2022.
