I am pleased to present the 2023 Chair Report for the Ballarat Sports Foundation (BSF). The BSF relaunched with a refreshing new website and new logo rebrand in 2022/23. We welcomed Olympic swimming gold medallist Shayne Reese OAM as our second patron along with the continued support of
Olympian and marathon runner Steve Moneghetti AM.
With the support of our volunteer Board and the backing of the Ballarat community, the BSF re- commenced its scholarship program through the new website online application process. This has streamlined the procedure and provided easy access for the lodging of applications by individuals, teams and organisations.
The Foundation was able to undertake Round 71 scholarship applications and presentations, and in doing so we reached a significant milestone, having now distributed over half a million dollars to local athletes. This is a great achievement and one which everyone who has been involved in the BSF since inception in 1996 should be extremely proud off.
Although we have reached this great milestone, we are aware of the challenging journey athletes have in order to reach their sporting dreams at state, national and international level. Many of our athletes continue to face financial challenges to cover their costs including travel for training and competition, sporting equipment, strength and conditioning needs, and accommodation. Therefore, we will continue to assist in providing financial support and encouragement to local athlete’s and their families as they continue their sporting journey.
The Ballarat Sports Foundation philosophy stands true and is as follows:
The Foundation is grateful to all its sponsors who continue to make this philosophy a reality through their ongoing support.
This year we were very fortunate to receive additional funding support through the Lillingston Charitable Trust. The BSF Board are extremely appreciative of this support, and it will inspire us to continue our work as well as secure the Foundations ability to assist local athletes for many years to come.
Our major sponsors include:
We also have several supporting and media sponsors, including:
In addition to these sponsors, the Foundation is thankful for donors that have consistently provided ongoing support over many years. These donors are:
The Following personnel comprised the BSF Board for the 2022/2023 year:
Thank you to all Board members for their ongoing time, commitment and expertise. I also thank our BSF Patrons, Steve Moneghetti and Shayne Reese for their support of the BSF in 2023.
2024 will be an exciting time, and we look forward to supporting the current and next generation of BSF scholarship recipients.
Peter Blackburn (Chair)
Ballarat Sports Foundation
It is with pleasure that I present the 2021 Chair Report for the Ballarat Sports Foundation. The 2021 year has continued to be a very challenging time for all with the effects and limitations of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our local sporting events and competitions have continued to be impacted, but just recently the easing of restrictions has allowed for local sporting groups to commence training and competition opportunities.
The Foundation was unable to undertake scholarship presentations during this year, but will now look to 2022 and the opportunity to provide support to local sports people as sport returns to our community.
In 2022, the Ballarat Sports Foundation will look forward to conducting scholarship presentations as our local athletes’ re-enter state wide sporting events and require support in pursuing their sporting ambitions.
The opportunity to reopen the Foundations scholarship applications will again be considered early in the new year and we encourage everyone to visit our website for future updates.
The Board of the Ballarat Sports Foundation will focus on a number of key priorities during 2022 which will include:
The Ballarat Sports Foundation philosophy stands true and is as follows:
The Foundation is grateful to all its sponsors who continue to make this philosophy a reality through their ongoing support. Our major sponsors are:
We also have several supporting and media sponsors, including:
In addition to these sponsors, the Foundation is thankful for donors that have consistently provided ongoing support over many years. These donors are:
The Following personnel comprised the Board for the 2020/2021 year:
Chair – Peter Blackburn
Deputy Chair – John Burt OAM
Treasurer – David Chalmers
Scholarships – Colin McClelland, Carmal Bayly, David Brehaut, Juri KaczKowski, Greg McIntosh, Grant McKechnie, Morgan Murphy OAM, Lee Prentice
It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of a highly respected and dedicated former board member, Janet Jones OAM. Janet was a great contributor to the Foundation and the local community, and was duly recognised in the Queen’s Birthday 2021 Honours, receiving an OAM for service to surf lifesaving and to the community. Our condolences and thoughts are with Janet’s family.
Congratulations to the Ballarat Sports Foundation Patron, Steve Moneghetti AM, who in November 2021 was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame for his contribution to sport through administration.
Thank you to all Board members for their continued support this year. In 2022, the Ballarat Sports Foundation will look to play its part in resuming sport locally, and to provide athletes with the support required in taking the next steps in their sporting journey.
Since the Foundation’s scholarship funding commenced in 1996 to the end of this financial year, a total of 1346 scholarship recipients representing 82 sports were allocated financial support totalling $492,650.
The Ballarat Sports Foundation…. Making a difference!
Peter Blackburn (Chair)
Ballarat Sports Foundation