What do a contestant in The Voice, a 100m Paralympic silver medallist and a wheelchair basketball player have in common? A Variety Heart Scholarship. These arts and sport scholarships are now open for NSW/ACT kids and the possibilities are endless.
Former The Voice contestant Melanie Dyer received an arts scholarship and has since received several Golden Guitar awards. Swimmer Paige Leonhardt received a sports scholarship and has gone on to represent Australia at the 2016 Rio Paralympics and the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. The same story goes for Jessica Cronje, who has cerebral palsy and played with the Australian women’s U25s Devils basketball team that won silver at the world championships in China.
The sky’s the limit and Variety NSW/ACT is encouraging young sports stars and emerging creative and performing artists to apply for the Variety Heart Scholarship program.
Open now until 31 May, scholarships of up to $5,000 are available for young people aged 6 – 18 years who are living with a disability or chronic illness or for families facing financial hardship.
Variety NSW/ ACT CEO, Tony Warner, said Variety Heart Scholarships support children with proven talent to reach their full potential.
“No area of the arts or sport is too small or large. All that is needed is a young person who is passionate and proficient in their chosen field and shows commitment to achieve a long-term goal,” Tony said. “The funds can be put towards anything that makes a child’s dream more attainable – whether that’s tuition fees, coaching, training equipment, travel or competitions.”
Past winners of the scholarships have gone on to represent Australia on the world stage, whilst others have simply needed a hand to reach the next stage of development in their talent – whether that be snowboarding, violin, swimming or circus arts.
Tony said the scholarships speak to the heart of what Variety is all about – leveling the playing field and unlocking opportunities for all children.
“Variety believes in a future where every child, regardless of circumstance or ability, can be supported, included and equal,” he said. “We understand the complexity of disadvantage and disability. We recognise that, through no fault of their own, families can experience vulnerability and we seek to stand with families, providing practical and tangible opportunities that were once beyond their reach.”
Applications are open Friday 31 May at 5pm. To apply, visit https://www.variety.org.au/nsw/variety-heart-scholarships/
