About the Sports Scholarship

If you are living in New Zealand and competing at a national or international level in a recognised sport by Sport New Zealand (Ihi Aotearoa), you may be eligible for a Sports Scholarship.

To find out more about whether your sport is recognised by Sport New Zealand (Ihi Aotearoa), check out their website here.

The Sports Scholarship is intended to nurture aspiring professional athletes by assisting with the costs of training, competition, and career development, while also recognising and encouraging sporting excellence within the whānau. The Sports Scholarship aims to empower athletes to achieve their sporting aspirations and represent their people with pride on the national and international stage.

Scholarship Information

Tauhara North No.2 Trust have a new Sports Scholarship administered and distributed by Charitable Company Limited. Trust Scholarships are intended to increase the success levels for individuals who participate at a high level in sport by reducing financial barriers.

Eligibility

1. Registered Owners, descendants and whanau (excluding spouse/partners) living in NZ are eligible to apply for the Sports Scholarship.
2. Applicants must be actively training for, or competing at, the national or international level in their chosen sport.
3. Applicants must not receive an income for playing their chosen sport at a professional level.

The Directors of CCL are not obliged to award any Sports scholarships in any year there is no candidate of sufficient merit. The decision of the Directors of CCL to award any scholarship is full and final.

Application Round

There will be one funding application round in 2025, open from 1st October to 31st October 2025.

1. October (5 scholarships) valued at $5,000

Application Process

1. Applications must be completed and received by the CCL Grants Administration staff no later than 11.59pm on 31 October 2025.
2. Applications for scholarships will be accepted from 1st October 2025 for athletic training or competitive events being undertaken or set to commence from October 2025 to October 2026.

Application Requirements

1. Applicants must provide a Curriculum Vitae (CV) outlining their individual or team achievements and sporting milestones and any other personal circumstances that may be relevant.
2. Applicants must provide a a clear and realistic sports career plan, outlining their pathway towards becoming a high performance or professional athlete.
3. Applicants must provide a letter of endorsement, from a recognised national or international coach and/or sporting organisation endorsing the applicants current performance and career plan.
4. Applicants must be either actively preparing for or currently be competing at national or international level in their chosen sport.
   • This may include the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, World Championships, or National Competitions
5. Scholarships may be awarded provisionally by CCL Directors, with confirmation dependent on the applicant meeting all required conditions.
6. Applicants will be advised if their application was successful within four weeks of the close-off date.
7. Applications must be made on the Sports Scholarship application form

Use of Funds by Successful Applicants

Scholarship funds are to be used solely for costs directly related to sporting competition and development, including but not limited to:

• Travel and accommodation
• Sporting equipment and gear
• Coaching and training services
• Competition entry fees

Recipients may be asked to provide evidence of expenditure (receipts, invoices, or quotes) on request.

Changes to Circumstances

Recipients are required to immediately notify CCL Directors in writing if there are any changes to their sporting circumstances, including:

1. Withdrawal from competition: If a recipient withdraws from a competition, training programme, or event for which funding was awarded, they must notify CCL immediately.
2. Change of sporting focus: If the recipient changes their sport or level of competition, CCL Directors will review whether the scholarship remains valid.
3. Inability to compete: If the recipient is unable to participate due to injury, illness, or other circumstances, they must provide details in writing.

The continued provision of scholarship funds in any of the above situations will be at the sole discretion of CCL Directors.

Where any unused funds remain due to changes in circumstances, CCL Directors may:

• Request the return of unspent funds; or
• Approve reallocation of the funds to another agreed sporting purpose.

 Recipient Obligations

Recipients must present or provide a written report detailing their participation in their chosen sport at the event or competition disclosed in their application. This report must be presented or provided to the CCL Directors no later than 28 February of the year following the scholarship award.

Recipient Opportunities

All successful recipients of a Scholarship from CCL will be offered the opportunity to participate in the CCL Internship Programme.

Late or Incomplete Applications Will Be Declined

If we receive your application after the closing time/date unfortunately your application will be declined. All applications that do not have the required information by the closing date will also be declined.