BayTrust and Sport Bay of Plenty are proud to announce the recipients of the first round of the 2014-15 BayTrust Sport Scholarships.

These scholarships recognise both athletes and coaches, aiming to support and assist Bay of Plenty sporting talent to achieve on the national and international sporting stage and allow coaches to develop new skills that can be delivered back to the community.

Nathan Johnson.

The Scholarships are funded from BayTrust's $422,500 per year contribution to Sport Bay of Plenty's CoachForce programme and fully support BayTrust's Vision of strong, vibrant, healthy BOP communities.

Both scholarships are open to sports people residing in the region covered by BayTrust and Sport Bay of Plenty, with the intention that the coaching expertise and sporting talent is retained in the Bay.

The Athlete Scholarship applications were available to any young athlete from the Bay of Plenty aged 16–23 who has achieved national representation at their sport; while the Coach Scholarships are for coaches currently coaching at a recognised and endorsed level by their respective Regional Sporting Organisation or equivalent body.

Applications highlight the exceptional sporting and coaching talent that exists within the Bay of Plenty region and these scholarships demonstrate an appreciation for the hard work, commitment and dedication that these athletes and coaches give to their sport and communities.

BayTrust Athlete Scholarships:

Suzy Cumming, (Tauranga) - White Water Rafting

In 2013, Suzy was part of the U19 R6 woman's world championship winning raft team and in 2014 Suzy is hoping to be a part of the U19 R4 woman's team who will compete in the world championships in Brazil.

Paris Taniwha, (Tauranga) - White Water Rafting.

Paris was a member of the New Zealand U19 women's raft team in 2013 that placed first at the World Championships. This year Paris is competing in the U19s R4 woman's world champs and is hoping to be a part of the 2015 U19 rafting team to defend their world title in Indonesia.

Chelsi Williams, (Tauranga)-White Water Rafting/Canoe Slalom.

In 2013, Chelsi was a part of the World Champion U19 rafting team. The beginning of 2014 has also been very successful for Chelsi she was a part of the U19 R4 team that finished 1st at the National Rafting selection races, she was 4th in the women's sprint, 1st in the women's head to head, 2nd in the women's slalom and 3rd in the woman's downriver. Later this year Chelsi is hoping to be a part of the U19 R4 New Zealand team heading to Brazil to retain the world title.

Kaydi O'Conner-Stratton, (Maungatapu) – White-water Rafting/Canoe Slalom

Kaydi was a member of the 2013 U19 New Zealand rafting team that finished 1st at the Rafting World Champs. Kaydi was also a member of the New Zealand High Performance Squad for 2014 having some very impressive results in the K1 and C1 races. In April Kaydi will be a member of the New Zealand Junior team that will be competing at the World Champs where she is hoping for a top 4 finish.

Courtney Williams, (Tauranga) – White-water Rafting/Canoe Slalom

Courtney was a part of the successful U19 R6 rafting team that finished 1st in the World Rafting Championships in 2013. Courtney had a strong showing at the North Island Canoe Slalom at the beginning of 2014 with a 3rd place finish in the U18 C1 Women's and a 5th in the U18 K1. Later this year Courtney will be a part of the Rafting team that will defend their title in Brazil.

Ben Gibb, (Te Puna) – Canoe Slalom

Ben has been a part of the New Zealand Senior and U23 teams that have competed at the Oceania Open and the Australian Open during the beginning of 2014. At the Oceania Open the U23 team placed 2nd and the Senior Men's team placed 9th overall. Later this year Ben will compete at the U23 World Championships and is hoping for a top 10 finish.

Luke Robinson, (Ohauiti) – Canoe Slalom

During the Australian Open in January 2014 Luke placed 3rd in the Senior C2 and 2nd in the U18 C2. This followed on from some very good results at the Australian Secondary Schools where he placed 1st in the U18 C2 race. Later this year Luke is hoping to have a strong showing at the Junior World Champs with a top 10 finish.

Haylee Dangen, (Tauranga) – Canoe Slalom

It has been a fantastic start to 2014 for Haylee. At the Australian Secondary Schools she was 1^st in both the U18 C1 and K1 races, 4^th in both the U23 K1 and C1 races at the Australian Open, 5^th in the Oceania U23 C1, and 1^st in the U23 K1 and C1 at the Bay of Plenty and North Island Champs. Haylee's goals for the rest of 2014 are to finish in the top 10 of the K1 and C1 at the U23 World Champs.

Connor Hamilton, (Rotorua) – Mountain Biking Downhill

Connor has started the 2014 year well placing 2nd at both the New Zealand National Series and the New Zealand National Champs in the Mountain Biking Downhill events. Connor has now set his sights on some good results at the Downhill World Cup events and in September is hoping to place inside the top 10 at the World Champs in Norway.

Louis Hamilton, (Rotorua) – Mountain Biking Downhill.

Louis has been competing in the Elite Men's class for Downhill in 2013/14 and has been very successful. Louis finished a very credible 52nd at the Elite Men's World Champs in South Africa and continued his good form in the New Zealand National Championships where he finished 9th. 2014 will see Louis compete on the World Cup Circuit where he is hoping to finish in the top 40 for these events.

Lawrence Cawte, (Springfield) – Mountain Biking Downhill.

Lawrence had a good 2013 and placed a very competitive 30th in the U19 UCI World Champs. 2014 has started well also with Lawrence moving up to elite men's and placed 12th at the National Champs in February. The remainder of 2014 will see Lawrence compete in the UCI World Cup events were he is hoping to place in the top 50 at elite level.

Dirk Peters, (Lynmore) – Cross Country Mountain Biking

Competing at the senior men's level Dirk has had some good results on the World Cup circuit in 2013 with his best result being a 9th placed finish. In February Dirk finished 3rd at the New Zealand National Championship one place off his 2nd he achieved in 2013. 2014 will see Dirk trying to gain selection into the New Zealand Commonwealth Games team for Glasgow.

Amber Johnston, (Rotorua) – Cross Country Mountain Biking.

Amber has gained a 1st place at the National Championships in the U23 category and was placed 5th in the women's open elite category. In 2014 Amber is hoping to finish in the top 10 for all of her World Cup races and is aiming to finish inside the top 5 for the World Champs in Norway.

Nathan Johnston, - Mountain Biking

Nathan has competed at the U19 National Championship for the first time and placed a creditable 4th. The remainder of this year will be a chance for Nathan to compete in the UCI Junior World Cup races and gain some valuable experience. Nathan is also hoping that he will win the U19 title in his last year of junior racing.

Jodie Allely, (Lynmore) – Gym Sports

Jodie has moved in to the Junior International Division for Double Mini Trampoline in 2014 and has started the year well with two 3rd place finishes at the North Island and South Island Competitions. These good results have seen Jodie selected as part of the New Zealand Trampoline Team to compete in Australia in 2014.

Coral Farkash, (Utuhina) – Gym Sports

After having a year off between July 2012 and July 2013 Coral came back strong to place 4th in Trampoline at the New Zealand National Championships in August 2013. With other good results in the Double Mini Trampoline and Synchro has seen Coral selected to represent New Zealand in Australia in the Trampoline and Double Mini Trampoline disciplines.

Damian Hewett, (Murupara) – Artistic Gymnastics

Damian had a great finish to 2013, while representing New Zealand in the Trans-Tasman Competition Damian finished 1st in the Vault, 2nd in the High Bar and 3rd in the Floor Exercise. In 2014 Damian has been selected to be a part of the New Zealand U18 squad.

Trent Rippey, (Bethlehem) – Sailing

Earlier this year Trent competed in the Laser Radial Youth Worlds in Oman where he placed a very respectable 10th. In the New Zealand Nationals Trent placed 3rd in the open division and was 1st in the youth division. Later this year Trent is hoping to finish 1st at the ISAF youth nationals in Portugal and is also hoping to win the Youth Worlds in the Laser Radial in Poland.

Zak Merton, (Matua) - Sailing

In 2013 Zak had a strong showing in the 420 Class with a great 5th place finish at the 420 Youth World and also a 15th place finish at the 420 Open Worlds. In 2014 Zak has start strong winning the 470 Youth Nationals title and is now hoping to build on that success by winning the Youth Worlds in July and also winning the 420 Open World title.

Georgia Morton, (Whakatane) - Volleyball

Georgia was the captain of the New Zealand U19 volleyball team that finished 3rd at the Champions of Champions Tournament in the Philippines in January of this year. In July Georgia will be a part of the New Zealand U19 team that will be competing at the Asian Volleyball Championships where they are striving to finish inside the top 12.

Kahla Tyson, (Bureta) – Volleyball

In 2014 Kahla was a member of the New Zealand U19 Volleyball team that competed at the Shankey's Girls Tournament of Champions in which they finished 3rd. Later this year Kahla is attending the Asian Championship as a member of the New Zealand Youth Team.

Kahurangi Robinson, (Ngongotaha) – Volleyball

Kahurangi was a part of the New Zealand U17 Beach Volleyball Pair that won gold in Vanuatu in 2013. Kahurangi will be a part of the Beach Volleyball team competing at the Asian Junior Championships and also the World Championships in 2014.

Nathaniel Moore, (Mt Maunganui) – Volleyball

Nathaniel was a part of the New Zealand U18 Indoor Volleyball team that competed at the US High Performance Champs in Florida during 2013. In 2014 Nathaniel is looking to change his focus to the sand. He will compete in the Nanjing Youth Olympics where he is hoping to achieve the highest place finish of any New Zealand team.

Zane Rangihika, (Kawerau) – Volleyball

In 2013 Zane competed in both Beach and Indoor Volleyball. For Beach Zane was in the New Zealand U19 pair that placed 3rd at the Australian Junior Championships and was a part of the New Zealand U19 Indoor team that competed at the High Performance Championships. In 2014 Zane will be a part of the New Zealand Youth Volleyball team that will be competing at the American High Performance Championships.

Alexandra Lawrence, (Mt Maunganui) – Volleyball

Alexandra had a great 2013 with her school team and interprovincial team, with her Bay of Plenty U19 team winning the interprovincial champs. In 2014 Alexandra was selected to be a part of the New Zealand U19 Beach Volleyball Team and is heading to the Youth Olympic qualifying tournament's as part of this team. She will be trying to qualify for the Youth Olympics in August where she will be hoping to finish inside the top 8.

Sam O'Dea, (Otumoetai) – Beach Volleyball

January 2014 was a busy month for Sam; Sam won the New Zealand National Championships, the North Harbour Open, The Karapiro Open, and the New Zealand Open. For the remainder of 2014 Sam will be competing on the World Tour where he is hoping to qualify for the Main draw in China and also the events on the European Leg.

Jacob Hales, (Papamoa) – Surf Life Saving.

2014 has been a busy year for Jacob. In March he placed 7th in the U19 Run Swim Run at the National Championships and he was also 4th in the U19 Tube Rescue, 4th in the Surf Race and 2nd in the U19 Surf teams Race. Later this year Jacob will be representing New Zealand as part of the U18 Youth Team that will compete at the World Championships.

Natalie Peat, (Te Puke) – Surf Life Saving

Natalie had a stellar 2012/13 season with some world class results at the International Rescue World Championships. Natalie was 1st in the 200m Super Life Saver setting an U20 world record, in the 200m obstacles race Natalie placed 1st and also set an U20 world record in the process. 2014 will see Natalie step up to the open class and is hoping to be selected to compete at the International Rescue World Championships. However before that Natalie will compete at the Pool Rescue Championships in Australia.

Kyle Smith, (Taupo) – Triathlon

In 2013 Kyle won the New Zealand Secondary Schools Triathlon and was a part of the team that also finished in 1st position. Kyle also was 1st in the U16 category at the New Zealand Duathalon.

In 2014 Kyle has been selected as part of the NZ U19 Elite Triathlon Team that will compete in the World Championships in Canada.

Ari Palsson, (Whakatane) - Rowing

Ari has made a great start to 2014 at the North Island School Championships Ari was a part of the U18 quad that finished 1st and was also a member of the double that finished 1st. To top off Ari great results at the North Island School Championships he has been selected to represent New Zealand at the Junior World Championships that are being held in Germany in August.

Rebecca Hughes, (Ohauiti) – Basketball

The end of 2013 saw Rebecca invited along to the Junior Tall Ferns trials which lead her to be named in the New Zealand U18 national team that will compete in the Australian State Champs later this year.

Sam Clark, (Ohope Beach) - Multisport

Sam had a busy and very successful 2013, he was 2nd in the Motu Challenge, 10th in the GODZONE adventure race, 8th in the Rotorua Marathon, 3rd in the 18-25 years New Zealand Ironman and 4th in the Speights Coast to Coast. In 2014-15 Sam has set himself some impressive goals, he wants to finish 1st in the Coast to Coast, podium finish in the Wulong China Adventure Race and win the Australasian Multisport Champs.

Michael Cochrane, (Bethlehem) – Athletics

2013 was a great year for Michael, he finished 1st in the 400m hurdles in Hobart and Sydney. In the Sydney meet Michael managed to beat 3 of the semi-finalists from the Olympic Games. At the New Zealand Nationals Michael was first in both the 400 and 110m hurdles giving him the number 1 ranking in New Zealand. In 2014 Michael is hoping to build on his success from 2013 by finishing in the Top 3 of the 400m hurdles and Top 8 in the 110m Hurdles at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Amanda Landers-Murphy, (Rotorua) – Squash

Amanda has made a solid start to 2014 with a win at the Australia Day Open and finishing runner up in the Montreal Open Final after suffering an injury in the final. This has set up a great Commonwealth Games campaign for Amanda, named in the squad to compete at Glasgow Amanda is hoping to win Gold in the women's, and mixed doubles events.

BayTrust Coach Scholarships:

Shane Espitalier, (Bethlehem) – BadmintonShane was the coach of the Bay of Plenty U17 team in 2013, and currently holds an Advanced Coach Level 2 qualification from South Africa. Shane wants to atten the Badminton World Federation Coaching Course in April and September.

Paul Roozendaal, (Mt Maunganui) – White-water Rafting

Paul has over 10 years coaching experience in rafting and outrigger canoeing and was the successful coach of the New Zealand U19 Rafting team that won the World Championships in 2013. Paul will continue to coach this team and is hoping to help the girls defend their title at this year's World Championships in Brazil. Paul will use this opportunity to network with international coaches and up skill on the latest rafting skills and techniques.

Wayne Johnston, (Lynmore) – Squash

Wayne currently holds a national level 2 coaching accreditation and has been working with the juniors at the Geyser City Squash Club. Wayne has also been invited to attend and observe at the New Zealand Junior camps for the past 3 years. Wayne wants to continue to develop his coaching knowledge in 2014 by attending the two World U19 Coaching Camps in Auckland.

Sam Thompson, (Lake Okareka) – Mountain Biking

Over the last two years Sam has dedicated numerous hours to the sport of Mountain Biking. Sam has been working with some of New Zealand's best mountain biking talent out of Rotorua. He has established a pathway for the young up and coming riders of the Bay of Plenty which has allowed those riders to stay in the Bay of Plenty and also compete on the international stage. In 2014 Sam is going to travel to the Oceania and World Cup events with the Bay of Plenty riders. This will allow Sam to observe the latest riding techniques and develop relationships with some of the best coaches in the sport of Mountain Biking.

Paul Bedford, (Rotorua) – Squash

Paul has been working with the youth out of Geyser City Squash Club to reach their full potential and to provide a pathway to a higher level. Paul currently holds a Small Nix and Big Nix coaching accreditation and is looking to develop his coaching knowledge further. In 2014 Paul is attending the World U19 Coaching Camps in Auckland, this will allow Paul to observe New Zealand's top coaches in a practical setting.

Volleyball Coaches

Volleyball Bay of Plenty will be sending 6 coaches to Christchurch to attend a coaching seminar with Hugh McCutcheons. This will be a fantastic opportunity for 6 coaches from the Bay of Plenty region who have contributed immensely to Volleyball in our region of the past two years to learn from one of the games most respected coaches. It will also allow the coaches to work alongside some of New Zealand's top coaches and develop significant coaching relationships.

Alastair Johnson, (Glenholme) – Swimming

Alastair has put many hours of work into swimming programmes for the Rotorua area in the past two years. He has worked with Lynmore School to deliver a Learn to Swim Programme, Owhata School to deliver a Wai Splash ‘N' Go Programme, and Horohoro School to up skill the teachers in their delivery of swim programmes. Alastair will be attending the NZSCTA conference in Wellington; this will allow Alastair to become a better coach. The knowledge that Alastair gains will then be shared with his regionally based coaching team.