Nearly 30 athletes and coaches from a range of sporting codes have been selected in the second round of 2016-2017 BayTrust Athlete and Coach Scholarships.

From surfing and canoe slalom, to rugby sevens and white water rafting, the scholarships aim to support and assist Bay of Plenty talent to achieve sporting goals on a national and international stage, as well as allow coaches to develop new skills that can be delivered back to the community for the long-term benefit of up and coming athletes.

BayTrust Athlete and Coach Scholarships are funded by the trust's $422,500 annual contribution to Sport Bay of Plenty's CoachForce programme, which sees 22 CoachForce Officers from 18 codes developing other coaches who are working with thousands of athletes every week.

CoachForce and its associated opportunities are supported by BayTrust as it aligns with the organisation's vision of helping to develop strong, vibrant and healthy communities.

The scholarships were open to sports people studying and residing in the Bay of Plenty, with the intention that this high-quality sporting talent and coaching expertise is retained long-term in the region.

Athlete scholarships are available to any local athlete aged 16-23 years old who has achieved national representation in their sport, while the coach scholarships are for individuals currently coaching at a recognised and endorsed level by their respective Regional Sporting Organisation or equivalent body.

'The recipients have been chosen because they highlight the exceptional sporting and coaching talent that exists within the Bay of Plenty,” says Sport Bay of Plenty coaching and talent development team leader Dave Clarke.

'These scholarships demonstrate an appreciation for the hard work, commitment and dedication that these athletes and coaches give to their sport and communities.”

Recipients:

Ora Williams (Rotorua) – Rugby Sevens

Ora has been a part of the New Zealand Development Sevens team that is competing in Japan this year, and has also recently been contracted to the NZ Development team for the 2017/18 season.

Autumn Rain-Stevens (Rotorua) – Rugby Sevens

Autumn is a part of the New Zealand Development Sevens team that is competing in Japan, as well as the NZ Mixed Touch team that is competing in the Trans-Tasman series against Australia on the Gold Coast.

Luka Connor (Rotorua) – Rugby 15s

Luka has been named in the Black Ferns wider training squad for the upcoming Quad Series with Australia, England and Canada.

Hayden Wilde (Tauranga) – Triathlon

This year is going to be a busy for Hayden, as he will compete in world cup events in Mooloolaba and New Plymouth – both with the hope of qualifying for the ITU.

Ali Chater, Annaliese Heuvel, Georgia Dobble & Bella Uhl (Rotorua) – White Water Rafting

These women are a part of the NZ white water rafting team that will be competing at the U19 White Water Rafting Championships in Japan.

U23 NZ White Water Rafting Team (Rotorua)

The NZ rafting team, which are all from Rotorua, will compete at this year's U23 White Water Rafting World Championships in Japan.

Jonas Tawharu (Mt Maunganui) – Surfing

Jonas is going to compete at the 2017 VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship in Japan and will also compete in the NZ surf series.

Elin Tawharu (Mt Maunganui) – Surfing

Elin will be competing at the World Surf League on the Gold Coast, before travelling to Japan to compete at the 2017 VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship.

Guy Roberts (Tauranga) – Underwater Hockey

Guy has been selected as part of the NZ U19 Underwater Hockey Squad, which is competing in this year's world cup.

Paraone Muru (Whakatane) – Hockey

Paraone has been selected in the NZ U21 squad for 2017. He has previously been a member of the NZ U19 squad that toured Australia for a test series in 2016.

Damian Torwick (Tauranga) – Canoe Slalom

Damian will be competing in Slovakia at the 2017 ICF Canoe Slalom Junior World Championships in July, where he is hoping for a top 10 finish.

Claudia Paterson (Tauranga) – Canoe Slalom

Claudia is a part of the NZ Junior Canoe Slalom Team which will compete at the 2017 ICF Canoe Slalom Junior World Championships in Slovakia. Claudia's goal is to make the semi-finals in the K1 division.

Sam Munday (Rotorua) – Sport Climbing

Sam is a member of the NZ climbing team that will compete at the Oceania Championships.

Damon Rees (Whakatane) – Motorcycle Road Racing

Damon will be competing in the road racing series in Australia, starting with the 2017 Superbike Championships where he is hoping for a top 5 finish.

2016-2017 BayTrust Coach Scholarships:

Brent Armitage, Cliff Harris, Ignacio Vaglica, Maia Ririnui, Nic Millichip, and Lee Stringer, George Gall (Tauranga) – Football

All of the above coaches are completing their Level 2 Youth Coaching certificate and are all currently working with various clubs throughout the Western Bay of Plenty.

Alex Hawthorne (Tauranga) – Canoe Slalom

Alex wants to increase his coaching skills in training sessions and management. He will be working throughout the Bay of Plenty and spend time with Aaron Osborne at the High Performance Centre in Auckland.

Chris Watene and Mel Bennett (Tauranga) – Basketball

Chris has been a coach with the NZ U14 Boys team this year. He will be attending the NZ U14 camp as an apprentice coach at the development camp. Mel will also be attending the camp as a coach of the U14 Girls squad.

Shan Jensen-Loach (Tauranga) – Netball

Shan will be attending the Sport NZ Coach Developers conference in Auckland. This will assist Shan in her own coaching and the coach development of other coaches within the Western Bay of Plenty in her many Coach Development Roles.