ANNOUNCEMENT

We are thrilled to reveal the recipients of the 2024 Sky Sport Emerging Talent Grant! This grant provides support to New Zealand’s young, talented Para athletes, empowering them to reach new heights in their sporting careers. Each recipient will receive $2,500 to fund specialised, high-performance equipment and coaching tailored to their unique athletic needs.

Congratulations to this year’s exceptional winners

  • Liam Hogan (Auckland, Central East – Table Tennis)
  • Charli Gardiner-Hall (Auckland, Counties Manukau – Athletics)
  • Rylee Sayer (Waikato, Swimming)
  • Thomas Szabo (Waikato – Cycling)

This grant represents a key investment in New Zealand’s Future in para sport, providing emerging athletes with the resources they need to pursue excellence in their respective fields. The Sky Sport Emerging Talent Scholarship has been designed to empower physically and visually impaired rangatahi aged 14-21 with the resources to elevate their skills, helping bring their dreams of competing at the highest level to life.

LEARN MORE ABOUT EACH SKY SPORT EMERGING TALENT RECIPIENT AND THEIR GOALS

LIAM HOGAN – A 14-year-old table tennis player from Auckland, is making remarkable progress in his sport. Representing Pakuranga College in Auckland’s Interclub competition, he achieved a 92% win rate and led his team to first place in B1 Grade. In 2024, Liam also earned selection by Paralympics New Zealand for the Para Sport Collective Program and received a Disability Sport Auckland scholarship. He’s seen success in various competitions, including 1st place in the Counties Para Open Combined U19 Ambulant and competing in able-bodied events like the Counties Manukau Open. To reach his goal of representing New Zealand, Liam aims to increase his training with a table tennis robot and additional one-on-one coaching. The grant will support these resources, helping him boost his skills and take his performance to the next level.

CHARLI GARDINER-HALL – A 16-year-old para-athlete from Auckland, has achieved remarkable success in athletics, competing in U20 and Senior Open events. She won gold in U20 Para Discus and Javelin and silver in shot put at the New Zealand Track and Field Champs, where she was named Athletic’s NZ’s Ultimate Thrower for female para-athletics. Charli went on to represent New Zealand internationally, setting two more national records at the Australian Track and Field Champs and earning a silver medal in her senior international debut at the Oceania Athletics Champs in Fiji. Charli trains six days a week while balancing academics. This grant will help fund her new leg brace, essential for stability and performance, and cover costs for travel, coaching, and strength training, which are crucial for her continued development and goals of high-performance competition.

RYLEE SAYER – A 16-year-old para-swimmer from Waikato, has made remarkable progress in her athletic career despite significant challenges, including a right forequarter amputation due to cancer. She began swimming competitively at age 12 and has since broken multiple New Zealand records as a S7 swimmer, winning youth gold at the Virtus Asia Pacific Games and setting records at the Virtus World Games in France. Rylee has been selected for the Para Development team to compete at the Queensland State Championships in December, providing her with the chance to gain valuable experience against world-class para athletes. This grant will greatly impact Rylee’s journey by helping to cover the costs of travel and competition. Living in a small rural community has made accessing training and rehabilitation resource challenging. The scholarship will support her competitive aspirations and assist in her adaptation to her new circumstances in the water, allowing Rylee to continue pursuing her dream of excelling in para swimming.

THOMAS SZABO – A 17-year-old para-cyclist from Waikato is dedicated to excelling in cycling. His journey began in primary school, and after attending a para cycling camp, he gained classification and confidence in his abilities. in 2023, he was nominated by High Performance Sport New Zealand as a talent athlete and joined the Para Sport Collective group. Competing at significant events like the Southland Champs and Oceania’s, Thomas achieved personal bests and earned medals in his classification while training with able-bodied peers to push his limits. Thomas will be use the funding for essential equipment, such as an aero helmet, and to cover costs for competing at the Oceania Championships in Brisbane. This event is crucial for establishing his time and gaining international experience. Competing overseas will help him manage training and adapt to new environments while racing against non-New Zealand athletes. The grant will allow him to focus on achieving his goal of representing New Zealand on the world stage while boosting his confidence in his athletic journey.

A massive thank you to Sky Sport NZ for helping us support young Kiwis in sport and recreation. With their generous support, these young athletes now have the tools and guidance to reach their full potential, advancing New Zealand’s strength and talent in the world of Para sport. Let’s continue supporting and celebrating the achievements of these young talents who represent the future of New Zealand Para sports!