HELPING HAND: Ballarat Sports Foundation chairman John Burt with Ballarat Specialist School student and special Olympics athlete Courtney Swan. Burt is principal at the school. Special Olympians have been among athletes supported by the BSF.
BALLARAT Sports Foundation celebrates a significant milestone today.
The foundation will present its 50th round of scholarships at a luncheon at North Ballarat Sports Club.
Some 21 scholarships totalling almost $10,000 will be handed out at the function.
This will mean the BSF has distributed $327,695 in 975 scholarships since being formed in the mid-1990s.
Foundation chairman John Burt said the community-based body had been set up to provide a focal point in the co-ordination of sports sponsorship, and financially support and encourage Ballarat sportspeople of all ages and at all levels – from emerging juniors to elite athletes, coaches and administrators.
Its longstanding principles are to foster the spirit of community pride and success through encouraging the pursuit of sporting excellence.
Burt said all money raised and distributed over the years had been raised in the Ballarat community without state or federal government support.
He said backing had been provided through a variety of avenues, such as individuals, organisations, businesses and local government.
“We are grateful and thankful for their continued support.”
He said the foundation was always looking to boost its membership and sponsorship base to ensure its ongoing ability to support the sporting community. The BSF has three scholarship rounds each year, distributing up to $30,000 annually. Olympian and Ballarat distance running great Steve Moneghetti is the foundation’s patron.
Moneghetti: “We should never underestimate the benefits to the community of engaging youth, and indeed all members of society in sport and exercise.
“I encourage companies and sporting groups to jump of board this worthwhile and well-run organisation.”