Kayaker shares in $500,000 in RSL Youth Grants

(posted 31.03.10)

Bond University and RSL Queensland have partnered to provide financial grants of up to $5200 to students in Year 10 or 11 who have demonstrated excellence in academic, sporting or the community arenas.

Established in 2007, the RSL Youth Development Program, supported by Bond University recognises and rewards talented and ambitious students who receive financial assistance to assist in bringing their ambition to life.

Matthew Flinders Anglican College Year 11 student Bill Bain is among the recipients of the RSL Youth Development Program, a grant awarded to Bill for excelling in his chosen sport of kayaking. 

Bill was one of 150 outstanding Queensland students to share in $500,000 in youth grants awarded by RSL Queensland. He will use his grant towards training sessions, and to purchase a new kayak in preparation for the Youth Olympics in Singapore in September.

Bill has displayed talent in kayaking having toured with the Australian Touring Team to the 2009 Olympic Hopefuls Regatta and is a member of the National Talent ID Squad.

 “The RSL Youth Development Program has given me the chance to represent my country and to become the best athlete I possibly can,” Bill said.

RSL (Queensland Branch) State President, Mr Doug Formby, said he was impressed by the successful Sunshine Coast applicants and the calibre of each and every student who applied for the program.

“The response to this year’s program has exceeded previous years and we hope successes will inspire more students to apply for an RSL youth grant in 2011,” Mr Formby said.

“As well as offering an outstanding educational opportunity, the RSL Youth Development Program aims to promote awareness of the sacrifices our veterans have made, and of the ANZAC values they strived to defend.

“The RSL is looking forward to supporting these outstanding students as they achieve their goals and ambitions into 2010 and beyond,” he said.

The full list of winning students can be found online via the program’s website www.RSLyouth.com.au

At the beginning of March 2010, more than 90 of the 2010 RSL Youth Development Program winners attended a Leadership Forum at Bond University on the Gold Coast.   The winners enjoyed listening to inspiring guest speakers and participating in leadership activities as part of the one-day forum.   The evening prior they were joined by their families for an official award ceremony where they received their prizes.  

Students entering Year 10 and 11 in 2010 can now lodge an ‘expression of interest’ for the 2011 RSL program via www.RSLyouth.com.au Applications for the 2011 RSL Youth Development Program open on April 25 and close on November 11 2010.

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