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How RACV supports young athletes through community partnerships
How the Sports Excellence Scholarship Fund supports young athletes to achieve their dreams
What happens when a young athlete is selected to represent their school, state or country, but can't afford to take part? Find out how the Sports Excellence Scholarship Fund helps bridge the gap.
For many young athletes in Australia, the cost of competing at state or national level can be the biggest barrier to reaching their potential. Travel – often interstate – is one of the largest expenses, and for some families, it can put elite sport out of reach.
The Sports Excellence Scholarship Fund (SESF) helps address this challenge by providing financial support towards travel costs, along with mentoring, for talented Australian school‑aged athletes who would otherwise miss out.
"What we’re really trying to do is level the playing field so kids from all walks of life can access representative sport," SESF Executive Director Nick Mooney says.
“Some families are driving 19 hours each way just so their child can compete – and for many, the cost of travel alone can be a deal‑breaker.”
RACV is one of the organisations supporting the SESF, contributing to scholarships that help young athletes across Australia continue their sporting journey. In the last 12 months, RACV gifted $30,000 to help 30 young athletes compete in such sports as swimming, athletics, soccer, softball and taekwondo across Australia.
In total, 301 scholarships were awarded to emerging athletes in 2025. Of those, recipients included 79 Indigenous athletes, 57 para-athletes, 105 regional and rural athletes, and 39 remote athletes.
What is the Sport Excellence Scholarship Fund?
The Sports Excellence Scholarship Fund (SESF) is a charitable organisation that was established in Victoria in 2012, with the aim of helping emerging athletes compete in their chosen sports despite financial hardship. It grew into a national program in 2022.
"Going national in 2022 was probably the best thing we’ve ever done," Mooney says. "It’s allowed us to reach kids from every corner of Australia – really rural and remote areas that would otherwise miss out."
Funded sports include everything from individual sports like BMX, swimming and surf lifesaving to team sports like basketball, baseball and hockey.
Notable alumni include Bec Henderson, who competed at the Tokyo Olympics in the 20km race walk; Jack Howell, who competed at the Paris Paralympics; and Gabby Newton, who now plays elite-level Australian football for the Fremantle Dockers.
How do young athletes apply for the Sports Excellence Scholarship Fund?
SESF scholarships are open during the school year to Australian school athletes aged 10 to 18 years old, whose financial circumstances would preclude them from otherwise competing at a state or national level.
To apply, families need to complete an application form and have it endorsed and signed by the student’s school principal, confirming the student’s eligibility and need for financial support.
If the application is successful, the $1000 scholarship is awarded prior to attendance at the relevant sporting event. Recipients also receive ongoing mentoring opportunities from former scholarship holders and SESF ambassadors, and an education program through an online Masterclass series.
Scholarship recipients are grateful for the chance to play the sport they love at a state or national level. Image: Getty
Why support today can change a young athlete’s path for life
Early support can have a lasting impact on a young athlete’s confidence, wellbeing and sense of belonging, often long after the competition is over.
"Even if a child only represents their state once, that experience can stay with them for life, it can genuinely change their confidence and sense of belonging," Mooney says.
The SESF measures the transformative impact of SESF scholarships on youth through The Hope Survey, which is supported by The University of Adelaide.
"We measure things like hopefulness, life satisfaction and resilience, and our scholarship recipients are well above the national average in all three," Mooney says.
The 2025 Hope Survey found 83 per cent of SESF recipients felt hopeful “most”, “lots” or “all” of the time compared to 64 per cent nationally.
Twenty-nine per cent of females and 32 per cent of males rated their life satisfaction at the highest level compared to 14 per cent and 17 per cent nationally.
In addition, 71 per cent of females and 91 per cent of males are considered as resilient compared to 55 per cent and 64 per cent nationally.
For more information, visit the Sports Excellence Scholarship Fund website
How RACV supports young athletes through community partnerships
RACV supports the Sports Excellence Scholarship Fund through the RACV Community Foundation, helping fund scholarships that assist young athletes with the cost of travelling to compete at state or national level.
"Without partners like RACV, many of these kids would simply have to give up their place on state teams because of financial pressure,” Mooney says.
How you can help the RACV Community Foundation
If you would like to support RACV Community Foundation, you can make a donation using the banking details as below. All donations over $2.00 are fully tax deductible. If you would like a receipt for your donation, please email foundation@community.racv.com.au.
Bank: NAB
BSB: 083-001
Account Number: 40-970-8004
Account Name: RACV Community Foundation Receipts
