BRAYSHAW SCHOLARSHIP SET TO STRENGTHEN ABORIGINAL ATHLETICS PATHWAY

Athletics West is excited to announce that a newly established scholarship for regional Aboriginal athletes has been created thanks to a $10,000 investment by local Masters Athlete Geoff Brayshaw.

The Brayshaw Aboriginal Regional Scholarship Program has been developed to provide $10,000 in funding per year to assist ten regional Aboriginal Athletes in competing at State Events.  

Focusing on development opportunities, the Scholarship will cover out-of-pocket travel and accommodation expenses to help progress regional Aboriginal athletes through the Athletics pathway.

While Geoff is a well known WA Masters Athlete with several age records, Brayshaw's childhood experience growing up in the Eastern Wheatbelt first highlighted the barriers regional athletes face in getting to Perth for sport and education opportunities.

Geoff’s experience as Chair of the Aboriginal Trust for the Gumala Aboriginal Corporation further impressed upon him how vital supporting regional Aboriginal athletes is in developing opportunities for their future.

“If I can play a small part in assisting a group of young indigenous outback community members in achieving their dream by combining education, sports participation and career opportunities while always maintaining and respecting their cultural heritage, I will be very satisfied.” Brayshaw said.

Athletics West CEO Vince Del Prete said he was “excited by Geoff’s generosity and passion for strengthening the athletics pathway for Aboriginal athletes.”

“Thanks to Geoff’s investment, we are thrilled to offer a new level of support for regional Aboriginal Athletes. Through our Aboriginal and Regional program, we engaged more than 500 students in September alone, so to be able to extend that conversation and remove further barriers to participation is fantastic.” Del Prete said.

Athletics West will release more information about the Brayshaw Aboriginal Regional Scholarship Program’s criteria and application process shortly.

For more information about how you can get involved in athletics, contact Athletics West on 08 6272 0480.

By David Smith, Athletics West

Posted 21 October 2021