SAHOF Announced 2026 Scholarship and Mentoring Program

The Sport Australia Hall of Fame (SAHOF) has announced its 2026 Scholarship and Mentoring Program, exceeding a record of 341 applications and a star-studded lineup of mentors set to guide the next generation of elite athletes.

Among the mentors are six Australian sporting figures, Adam Gilchrist AM, Libby Trickett OAM, Robbie McEwen AM, Michael Milton OAM, Dr Lauren Burns OAM, and Louise Sauvage OAM who will each work one-on-one with Tier 1 scholarship recipients aged 15–21.

The initiative, supported by the Australian Sports Commission, the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), and Harvey Norman, aims to foster both athletic excellence and personal development.

Six Tier 1 athletes will receive AUD10,000 each, alongside personalised mentorship from their assigned sporting icons. Mentors will offer guidance on performance, resilience, and navigating the pressures of elite sport with each pairing crossing disciplines to encourage diverse perspectives.

Cricket great, Adam Gilchrist, said mentoring young athletes was an honour and a responsibility.

“I’m hopeful the lessons I’ve learned throughout my own journey will help guide them along their path,” he said.

Paralympic champion, Louise Sauvage, described mentoring as “the most rewarding experience,” emphasising the value of sharing both athletic and coaching knowledge.

SAHOF chair, John Bertrand AO, called the 2026 program “a place where talent meets opportunity,” commending mentors for helping athletes embrace challenges with courage and pursue their dreams through the highs and lows of elite sport.

The 2026 program includes 32 athletes across 32 sports, with AUD150,000 in total funding distributed across three tiers. Beyond the top-tier mentees, 26 additional athletes received scholarships ranging from AUD2,500 to AUD5,000, supported by partners BLACKROLL and Grip Star Socks.

The record application pool also reflected growing diversity in Australian sport — with submissions from 154 male and 187 female athletes, including 26 para-athletes.

Notably, lifesaving saw a 285% increase in applications, while new sports such as eight ball, woodchopping, polo, and Kung Fu Wushu were represented for the first time.

The program underscores SAHOF’s mission to support athletes holistically, equipping them for life beyond sport while reinforcing Australia’s commitment to nurturing excellence through mentorship and community investment.

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