Grants 

R.W. CLARKE FOUNDATION AWARDS

The R.W. Clarke Foundation may be used to assist young athletes from 16 years of age (preferably under 23) to obtain competition at major domestic meets, eg. Telstra A-Series, national championships and other high level competitions, and to participate in appropriate training camps.

Preference is given to (but not restricted to) those athletes not already receiving support under Athletics Australia's high performance program, including Australian Commonwealth Games Association’s junior grants program, Australian Sports Commission's DAS scheme, institute/academy scholarships or other foundations or trusts.

Athletes are required to apply personally, in handwriting, mailing their application to R.W. Clarke Foundation c/- Athletics Australia, Suite 22, 431 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne 3004 (faxed applications are not acceptable).

Applications are considered by the R.W. Clarke Foundation selection panel, consisting of chairman (Ron Clarke’s nominee - presently Trevor Vincent), an Athletics Australia representative and one other nominated individual (presently Len Johnson).

Awardees are expected to provide a report to the Foundation on their progress in the sport within 12 months of receiving assistance.

Applications are normally invited in March of a year, with applications closing at the end of April.

PRIME MINISTER'S TEAM

The Prime Minister’s Team - ‘Running For A Future’ (The PM’s Team) is a partnership to encourage excellence in sport and business – and, more specifically, to identify and foster Australia’s marathon stars of the future.

Each year the incumbent Prime Minister will honour, with selection in The PM’s Team, five up-and-coming Australian marathon runners who have the potential, desire, talent and attitude to achieve on the world stage. Each athlete will remain a member of the PM’s Team for one year.

The PM’s Team involves a mentoring program whereby each of the selected runners will be teamed with a sporting mentor to help them achieve their goals and, in time, hopefully their Olympic dream. The key role of the mentors will be as role models providing guidance and advice to the runners. The mentors are The Hon. Pat Farmer MP, Rob de Castella MBE, Steve Moneghetti, and Tani Ruckle.

Corporate sponsors are also involved and provide financial support to help the athletes achieve their marathon goals.

The marathon, 42.195km, is steeped in history – particularly Olympic history – and captures the imagination in countless ways. The word ‘marathon’ is synonymous with achievement. It embraces the ideals of goal setting, commitment, courage, belief in oneself, pushing through barriers and ‘going the hard yards’ to succeed. The marathon, in short, is an analogy of life – and, also, a reflection of the ‘spirit’ of Australia. Australians who have achieved on the world marathon stage have become household names and role models such as Robert de Castella and Steve Moneghetti.

To register your interest and be considered next year, please email your athletics CV and information to Janet Chitts