Five local sporting stars will receive $2000 each to support their Olympic dreams thanks to local non profit HealthWISE and the Northern Inland Academy of Sport (NIAS).

From a Kootingal pole vaulter to a Guyra equestrian and clay target shooter, the Active Champions Fund seeks to assist rural athletes with the costs of competing at a high level as they work to qualify for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“It’s champions like you who can stand up and show others the way,” HealthWISE executive manager of strategy Sally Urquhart told recipients at the scholarship presentation on February 12. According to the Australian government, only 2% of teenagers between 13 and 17 get the recommended amount of physical activity a day.

“As a health organisation, we recognise the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and the impact it has on our physical and mental wellbeing. Regular activity strengthens the heart, boosts immunity, improves mental health and helps to build lifelong habits of wellness,” Ms Urquhart said.

NIAS CEO Shona Eichorn said the two organisations share their values and the goal of promoting healthier lifestyles across the region. As parents, Ms Eichorn and HealthWISE CEO Fiona Strang recognised the investment required from families of rural athletes.

Training in Sydney most weekends, Kootingal pole vaulter Teddy Hampton said the funds will make a big difference.

“That’s about 400 kms from here to there, and the cost of fuel is going up,” he said. Flying with the poles is no easy feat either, and requires additional baggage fees due to their size.

Teddy’s dedication has paid off, and after jumping 4.25 metres, he is now ranked first in the state for his age, and third nationally. In January, he set a new record at the under 18s NSW Country Champions by jumping four metres. He loves the feeling of turning upside down and launching through the air, and hopes to do so in an Olympic arena one day.

For Calala hockey player Archie Clarke, the scholarship will help fund a European tour with the Australian under 16s Joeys. Archie’s proudest sporting achievements so far are winning national finals and being selected for the Junior Australia team.

“It was just something us rural kids don’t get very often,” he said of the sponsorship.

Orlando York fell in love with tennis on his 10th birthday. Simply hitting the ball was a challenge at first, but he took it in stride, and is now an A grade local competitor. The Tamworth player says being a rural athlete can be difficult, but “makes you want to work even harder.”

The current under 15 male NSW champion in the Auscycling cross country mountain biking national series, Tamworth’s Benjamin Shaw said the Active Champions Fund will ease the pressure as he travels for competitions. After two recent podium finishes in Hobart, Benjamin is gearing up for another national mountain biking race in Canberra this month before competing in road cycling later this year. He’d love to compete in a professional cycling team one day and race overseas.

Guyra’s Charlie Ward was “stoked” to be selected to support her dual loves of clay target shooting and equestrian. Charlie represented Australia in China for dressage and showjumping last year, and enjoyed going from underdog status to becoming the Australian National Ladies Champion (12 guage) at the Australian Clay Target Association’s Down the Line Championships. She’s confident in her shooting skills and has the Brisbane Olympics in her sights.

“I hope the scholarships will enhance your ability to access training and competitions, and to continue to strive to be the best version of you – athletically, but also personally,” Ms Urquhart told the athletes.

The Active Champions Fund is part of the HealthWISE gift fund, which has supported community activities promoting health and wellbeing every year since 2018. Last year the fund helped nine childcare centres establish kitchen gardens to teach youngsters the value of fresh vegetables.