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 can’’t 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
The 2025/26 Financial year has now been completed and the Trust can reflect back on those who received both event grants and development grants during this period - there have been four development grants and thirteen event grants awarded in this time.
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Development Grants awarded in Financial Year 2025
29 Apr 2025 Tamara Reeves
11 Aug 2025 Noah Fenwick
08 Feb 2026 Tayne Patel
20 Feb 2026 Lucy Jurke 500 D
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Event Grants awarded in Financial Year 2025
29 Apr 2025 Taonga Mbambo
18 May 2025 Chris Dryden
18 May 2025 Ben Thompson
18 May 2025 Caden Shields
11 Aug 2025 Bridie Restieaux
19 Aug 2025 James Richmond
24 Aug 2025 Kirsten Hall
05 Oct 2025 Clara Fergus
16 Nov 2025 Chris Dryden
19 Feb 2026 Oska Inkster-Baynes
28 Feb 2026 Caden Shields
31 Mar 2026 Connor Melton
31 Mar 2026 William Little
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.