On Wednesday night, 40 QBE Sydney Swans Academy athletes awarded with $1,000 scholarships each, to go to their travel, education, equipment and development thanks to QBE Insurance. 

In an event held at the Basil Sellers and Richard Colless Centre (Sydney Swans HQ), 20 female and 20 male athletes were presented the scholarships by Lorelle Hillman, General Manager, Distribution at QBE Insurance. 

Previously, only five scholarships per year have been awarded, but in celebration of 40 years of partnership between QBE Insurance and the Sydney Swans, they increased the number awarded this year. 

More than 80 people were in attendance which saw U/16 and U/18 Academy athletes from all over NSW receive the grants. QBE Sydney Swans Academy graduates Sam Wicks and Holly Cooper were on stage to help present the scholarships.

Sue Houghton, CEO, QBE Insurance Australia Pacific said she was thrilled to provide the scholarships. 

“Awarding these 40 QBE Sydney Swans Academy Scholarships as part of our 40-year partnership celebrations are about more than just supporting participation in sport,” Haughton said.

“They are about creating opportunities, removing barriers and helping young people build confidence and a sense of belonging through the game they love. We hope this support helps inspire the next generation to dream big and achieve their goals."

U/18’s player Lucinda Watson, from the Central Coast hub, said the scholarship will help on many fronts.

“I got accepted into the Academy in 2018 and I was only 11, and I was very nervous,” said Watson. 

“There’s a lot of travel involved obviously being from the Central Coast and I didn’t really have a lot of friends for the first few years because it was all very separated. It’s now such a good environment to be a part of, it’s one sport that isn’t cliquey. 

“It’s very special (the scholarship), we do a lot of travel, and it costs a lot, as someone who travels quite far so it is very beneficial and I’m very grateful for it.

“I have built strong relationships with my teammates, coaches and staff, and the high-performance environment has continually challenged me to improve.”