Criteria for grants
and grant forms
These grants will be awarded on a case-by-case basis. While we recognize that athletes nowadays participate in a wider range of running, both on and off road, and allied sports, like cycling or triathlon, and gym work, our expectation is that the development actions are in support of the primary intention to compete in sanctioned half/full marathon events.
If we do not try, we cant succeed. Getting to glory, to medals and personal bests take persistence and talent. It also takes knowledge; doing the right thing consistently, especially with longer distance running.
A Partnership Approach
The Bill Richards Trust has two key ways Canterbury registered athletes can gain funding.
Athletes applying for funds must be a current/financial registered member of a Canterbury club affiliated with Athletics Canterbury with Canterbury as their base/home and be willing to use their ability to contribute to Canterbury being the best place in NZ, to be a long distance runner.
GRANT APPLICATIONS
DEVELOPMENT GRANT
Minimum age of 18 yrs at time of application
Championing the Cause. The Bill Richards Trustees recognize they need to invest in emerging athletes via Development grants.
Development grants will be awarded to athletes or coaches the Trustees see as having the potential to achieve well in the marathon discipline.
These grants will be awarded on a case-by-case basis. While we recognize that athletes nowadays participate in a wider range of running, both on and off road, and allied sports, like cycling or triathlon, our expectation is that the development actions are in support of the primary intention to compete in sanctioned half/full marathon events.
To award a Development grant, the Trustees will require the athlete to more specifically document and report on how the funds are to be spent. This will help the Trust understand the real costs for an athlete incurs to be able to develop and be injury free. This also allows appropriate auditing of the expenditure.
Keen? Fill complete an application following the application instructions and we will be in touch. As these are open at any time make sure you let us know you have applied.
EVENT GRANT
Minimum age of 20yrs at time of application
Championing the Cause. These are for national or international competitions or courses that will assist in achieving the goal of greatness in marathon running.
Conventional World Athletics sanctioned road marathons, half marathons remain our priority and funding will reflect that as well as the athletes ranking. However, by exception the Trust may consider a 10k opportunity for younger emerging athletes.
Athletes applying for these funds should have already demonstrated their potential to ultimately be a successful marathoner in a number of relevant events.
Think this is you?
Please send in an application following the event application instructions and we will be in touch. As these are open at any time make sure you let us know you have applied.
‘Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday’s success or put its failures behind and start over again. That’s the way life is, with a new game every day, and that’s the way baseball is.’ – Bob Feller
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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You must be a member of a Canterbury club affiliated with Athletics canterbury to apply
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Age limit for Event grants is 20+; for development grants 18+
Athletes applying for funds must have be current/financial registered members of a Canterbury club affiliated with Athletics Canterbury, have Canterbury as their base and be willing to use their ability to contribute to Canterbury being the best place in NZ to be a long distance runner.
RECENTLY APPROVED GRANTS
In the 2024 year the most Canterbury registered athletes in the last 16 years achieved top 50 NZ rankings in the marathon distance. in All-time performances, we congratulate Cam Avery who has moved into 8th place, and Caden Sheilds into 21st place. The previous best Canterbury Marathoner was current BRMT trustee, Don Greig, now in 23rd place.
The Trustees congratulate the following athletes on their ranking achievements and look forward to continuing to support them, and other emerging talent, to achieve their goals in this challenging area of our sport.
The following two athletes are excellent examples of our current years fundees who we expect to given ongoing support.
Chris Dryden
Clara Fergus
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The Trustees congratulate the following athletes on their ranking achievements and look forward to supporting them, and other emerging talent, to achieve their goals in this challenging area of our sport.
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Development Grants awarded in 2024
Chris Dryden CANU
Olivia Ritchie DGRS
Clara Fergus DGRS
Caden Shields DGRS
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Event Grants awarded in 2024
Established and refined to allow athletes and/or coaches attend a specific event.
Taonga Mbambo - Queenstown Half-marathon
Alexandra Hawke - Gold Coast Marathon
Kirsten Hall - Gold Coast Half
Natalie Dryden - Gold Coast Half
James Richmond - Gold Coast Half
Michael Anderson - Chicago Marathon
Oska Inkster-Baynes - Gold Coast Marathon
Keen? Fill complete an application following the application instructions and we will be in touch. As these are open at any time make sure you let us know you have applied.