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Thirty-seven athletes from 14 sports have been awarded with Northern Territory Institute of Sport (NTIS) individual athlete scholarships for 2007/08.

 

Sport and Recreation Minister, Kon Vatskalis, today announced five new athletes were included this year - Tamara Betts (Judo), Sam Irwin (Rugby League), Jordan AhSam (Touch), Kassandra Dunser (Tennis), Candice Liddy (Hockey), Aimee Mullins (Hockey) and David Johnston (Cycling).

 

“The Territory continues to produce fine sporting talent we should all be proud of,” said Mr

Vatskalis.

 

“The individual scholarships are divided into three categories – elite, elite development and the Carbine Club junior elite development scholarships (JEDS).

 

“All of these athletes have excelled in their chosen sport and should feel extremely proud to be awarded an NTIS scholarship.”

 

Mr Vatskalis said the selection of Desmond Abbott into the national hockey squad elevated him to an Elite scholarship this year, while Matt King has progressed to Elite Development with his recent overseas cycling results.

 

Individual scholarship holders will be assisted by the NTIS to chase their dreams of making Olympic and Commonwealth Games teams and medalling at the international level.

 

An NTIS Individual scholarship helps to make champions by providing expert coaching, service and support to the Territory’s best athletes.

 

Having the support of the NTIS provides a solid foundation for athletes to pursue their sporting ambitions with financial assistance available to enable athletes to participate in interstate or overseas competitions.

 

A number of previous NTIS scholarship holders have reached the elite level in recent years including Joseph Anderson, Richard Tambling, Matt Campbell, James McManus, Karyn Bailey, Mark Hickman, and Danni Miatke, all of whom have demonstrated that an NTIS scholarship can be the start of a fantastic career in sport.

 

Eight athletes received Elite Scholarships including –

Crystal Attenborough            Athletics

Kelly Fong                              Judo

Melanie Hall               Wheelchair Basketball

Ronald Voukolos       Tenpin Bowling

Jayde Flanagan        Tenpin Bowling

Rebecca Simpson    Tenpin Bowling

Desmond Abbott       Hockey

Alison Fitch                Triathlon

 

Nine athletes received Elite Development Scholarships including -

Andrew McArthur      Tenpin Bowling (Alice Springs)

Bruno Maglieiri          Tenpin Bowling

Joel Carroll                Hockey

Adrian Lockley          Hockey

Travis Carroll             Hockey

Sophie Hawkins        Triathlon

Rebecca Brooke       Weightlifting

Matt King                    Cycling

Ashlee Brown            Tennis

 

Twenty athletes received Carbine Club Junior Elite development scholarships including -

Robert Duguid           Hockey

Leon Hayward           Hockey

Heather Langham     Hockey

Jack Benson             Sailing

Rohan Langworthy    Sailing

Mark Edmonds         Sailing

Narelle Long              Athletics

Kane Richardson      Cricket

Daniel Johnston        Cycling           (Alice Springs)

David Johnston**      Cycling           (Alice Springs)

Kia King                     Swimming

Zac Dalby                   Swimming      (Alice Springs)

Wilson Lee                 Baseball

Jordan AhSam**       Touch

Kassandra Dunser**Tennis

Adil Hakeem              Tennis

Tamara Betts**          Judo

Sam Irwin**                Rugby League

Aimee Mullins**         Hockey

Candice Liddy**        Hockey

 

(** Athletes new to the NTIS Individual scholarship program in 2007/08)

 

For more information and athlete profiles media can visit www.ntis.nt.gov.au

 

Media contact: Tiffany Stodart 0401 118 411