RECORD 341 APPLICATIONS FOR SPORT AUSTRALIA HALL OF FAME 2026 SCHOLARSHIP AND MENTORING PROGRAM

 

The exceptional mentors for the Sport Australia Hall of Fame’s 2026 Scholarship and Mentoring Program include three-time cricket World Cup winner Adam Gilchrist AM, four-time Olympic swimming gold medallist Libby Trickett OAM, three-time Tour de France Green Jersey winner Robbie McEwen AM, six-time Paralympic gold medallist Michael Milton OAM, Australia’s first Olympic taekwondo gold medallist Dr Lauren Burns OAM, and nine-time Paralympic wheelchair marathon champion Louise Sauvage OAM.

A total of 32 athletes from 32 different sports will share $150,000 in funding, spread across three tiers.

Six young athletes will be guided by some of the biggest names in Australian sporting history through their Tier 1 scholarships, which include one-on-one mentoring and a $10,000 grant to assist with training and competition costs.

“Being asked to take on a mentoring role within the Sport Australia Hall of Fame Scholarship program is a tremendous honour that I don’t take lightly,” Adam Gilchrist said. “I had a great experience mentoring previously, and it was such a delight to watch their progress. Now, to embark on this journey with another exceptionally talented young athlete is incredibly rewarding. I’m hopeful that the lessons I’ve learned throughout my own journey will help guide them along their path.”

The six mentors, from different sports than their mentees, will work individually with Tier 1 Scholarship holders, providing invaluable guidance and advice to outstanding young athletes aged 15-21 as they pursue excellence on the global stage.

Lauren Burns said: “I’m thrilled to support athletes in their sporting journey. To have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference is a privilege. Sport has influenced my life in so many ways, and this is a chance to give something back by helping nurture, not just performance, with the values and resilience that underpin a fulfilling life in and beyond sport. I have had some incredible mentors in my own sporting journey, many of whom I remain close with today. I understand firsthand the impact a mentor can have, particularly someone outside the inner world of their sport.”

The scholarship program is backed by the Australian Sports Commission and the Australian Institute of Sport. Harvey Norman is co-sponsor through its three-year Gold Sponsorship with the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, which commenced in February 2025. This partnership supports the Hall of Fame’s Scholarship & Mentoring Program, reinforcing Harvey Norman’s commitment to Australian sport and athletes both on and off the field.

Katie Page, CEO of Harvey Norman, said: “Harvey Norman is proud to work in lockstep with the Australian Sports Commission and the Australian Institute of Sport to deliver the 32 new Sport Australia Hall of Fame scholarships for 2026. These scholarships will ensure our talented 15-to-21-year-old athletes and para-athletes can continue to train and compete at the elite level.”

“Our commitment to their future success is reinforced by the SAHOF mentoring program. We are immensely grateful to Adam Gilchrist AM, Louise Sauvage OAM, Libby Trickett OAM, Michael Milton OAM, Robbie McEwen AM and Dr Lauren Burns OAM. Your demonstrated leadership, depth of experience and celebrated sporting achievements will provide our next generation of champions with unique guidance and a sounding board they can trust.”

“Congratulations to all the 2026 scholarship recipients, and equally thank you to all the applicants. We wish each of you every success.”

2026 SPORT AUSTRALIA HALL OF FAME TIER 1 SCHOLARSHIP HOLDERS & MENTORS

• 2025 U19 Oceania Mountain Biking (Cycling) Champion, Connor Wright, 17, WA (Mentor: Adam Gilchrist AM)
• Under-23 World Champion in Kayak (Canoe) 1500M, Natalia Drobot, 20, QLD (Mentor: Libby Trickett OAM).
• Winner of the Professional 24/25 Ironman Series in Surf Life Saving, Conner Maggs, 20, QLD (Mentor: Robbie McEwen AM).
• World Record holder in Men’s S14 50M Butterfly Swimming (Para), Declan Budd, 18, NSW (Mentor: Michael Milton OAM).
• Australia’s top-ranked in Senior Women’s Fencing (Epee), Katarina Egan, 18, VIC (Mentor: Dr Lauren Burns OAM).
• Winer of three gold medals at the 2025 Australian Rowing (Para) Championships, Isobel Egan, 17, ACT (Mentor: Louise Sauvage OAM).

“I’m honoured to be involved in this fantastic program. Having the opportunity to mentor a young athlete and share my experience and knowledge is exciting. I hope to inspire and help develop the next generation of elite athletes,” Robbie McEwen said.

“For me to be a mentor with the Sport Australia Hall of Fame Program is an honour. To think I can share some of my knowledge of not only being an athlete but now as a coach within this ever-changing sporting system is fantastic. I look forward to working with my mentee and helping her achieve her goals in and out of sport. To be a part of someone’s journey is the most rewarding experience,” Louise Sauvage said.

“As a member of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, I have extensive experience to share with today’s young athletes. This is my first time participating in the program, and I see it as a valuable opportunity for mutual learning. I’ll provide my mentee with guidance and support, while also learning from them about what it means to be an athlete in the digital age,” Michael Milton said.

Extending the Sport Australia Hall of Fame’s commitment to nurturing future stars, 26 additional athletes have been awarded elite scholarships. Beyond support from the Hall of Fame and its celebrated membership, Tier 2 athletes receive a $5,000 sporting expenses grant, and Tier 3 athletes receive $2,500 each. All scholarship recipients also receive merchandise from the Sport Australia Hall of Fame partners, BLACKROLL and Grip Star Socks.

The 2026 Tier 2 scholarship holders are: 20-year-old Jack McShane (2024 Australian Indoor Lawn Bowls champion), Keefer Wilson (2024 Paris Olympian in skateboarding, 8^th place), Maddison Brooks (2024 Paris Olympics hockey player), James Johnstone (snowboarding), Grace Brimelow (triathlon – para), Nya Hayman (weightlifting), Maggie Grey (diving), Charlotte Wilson (mogul skiing), Alicia Tan (rhythmic gymnastics) and Jye Dixon (boxing).

The 2026 Tier 3 scholarship holders are: Caterina Longhi (artistic swimming), Lucy Darragh (surfing), Emma Putt (water polo), Bilal Cetin (wrestling), Arika Shetty (badminton – para), Toby Clack (eight ball), Anastasiia Golubeva (figure skating), Nicholas Odgers (modern pentathlon), Lucas Furlan (shooting), Joanne Joseph (squash), Gabriella Blewitt (taekwondo), Oliver Fanshawe (tennis – para), Archie McDonald (motorcycle racing), Rory Meehan (sailing), Angus Cormack (judo) and Delta Amidzovski (athletics).

 

Sport Australia Hall of Fame Chair and legend of Australian Sport, John Bertrand AO, said:

“We are proud to welcome the next generation of elite junior athletes into our 2026 Scholarship & Mentoring Program. This initiative is a place where talent meets opportunity and dreams are fuelled by the guidance and support of some of Australia’s GREATEST sporting stars.

“Hall of Famers Michael Milton, Louise Sauvage, Adam Gilchrist, Robbie McEwen, Libby Trickett and Dr Lauren Burns – what an incredible group of Australian sporting champions to mentor these young athletes.

“This program is made possible through the generosity of our Members, and we are grateful to them for sharing their personal experiences and wisdom to inspire and guide these young athletes to strive for excellence, embrace challenges with courage, and pursue their dreams through the highs and lows of elite sport.

“We also extend our sincere gratitude to our partners, the Australian Sports Commission incorporating the Australian Institute of Sport and Harvey Norman, for their invaluable support in making this program possible.

“We look forward to supporting these 32 young athletes to grow, learn and take their sporting journeys to new heights.”

Australian Sports Commission Chair Kate Jenkins AO congratulated the 2026 scholarship recipients.

“The Sport Australia Hall of Fame Scholarship program embodies everything we are striving for at the Australian Sports Commission, producing well-rounded individuals who are set up for success beyond sport. The record number of applications is a testament to this important initiative.

“I congratulate all the recipients and wish them well for their future endeavours.”

The Sport Australia Hall of Fame received a record 341 submissions for the 2026 scholarships, with an applicant pool comprising 154 males (45 per cent) and 187 females (55 per cent), including 26 para sport athletes (7.6 per cent). Applications were submitted from every state (except the Northern Territory), with New South Wales leading at 31 per cent and the east coast of Australia accounting for 78 per cent of the total.

Lifesaving had the most dramatic growth, with a 285 per cent increase in applications compared to 2025. The program also attracted interest from four new sports: eight ball, woodchopping, polo and Kung Fu Wushu. Several traditional sports showed strong growth, with fencing, squash, canoe/kayak and sailing all doubling their application numbers from the previous year. Winter sports saw increased participation, from 20 to 26 applicants in this round. Athletics, lifesaving and swimming remained the most popular sports, consistently taking the top three positions overall, in the male and female categories.

About the Sport Australia Hall of Fame:
The Sport Australia Hall of Fame preserves and celebrates the history of Australian sport while inspiring all Australians to achieve their potential. Guided by values of courage, sportsmanship, integrity and excellence, SAHOF honours its Members’ achievements and provides unparalleled opportunities to future generations.

The Sport Australia Hall of Fame Scholarship & Mentoring Program, established in 2006, has supported over 267 young athletes in 58 sports. The program connects scholarship holders with SAHOF Members, providing life-changing personal development, work-life balance guidance and media training. Expanded in 2020 to a three-tiered structure, the program now ensures even greater opportunities for Australia’s emerging sporting talent.