Mickell Scholarship backs young athletes to show up, grow, and compete

The Mickell Scholarship plays a meaningful role in enabling young athletes from the Bay of Plenty to pursue opportunities they may not otherwise have been able to access. While each athlete’s journey is unique, a common theme emerges: this support helps remove barriers, allowing athletes to focus on participation, growth, and enjoyment of their sport.

In 2025, two Mickell recipients used the scholarship to compete both locally and internationally, demonstrating the breadth of opportunity the fund creates.

For Max Kirk, a footballer from Ōhope who competed in the Northern Region Football League U17 competition, the scholarship helped cover the significant travel costs associated with training and games across Tauranga, Hamilton, and Auckland. What might otherwise have been a limiting factor became manageable, allowing him to stay committed to his team and compete consistently. His team achieved strong performances, finishing 9th in the first round and 4th in group B.

Beyond results, the experience provided valuable insight into development areas, reinforcing the importance of competition as a tool for growth. With reduced financial pressure, Max was able to focus on improving his game and contributing to his team.

For Rotorua's alpine ski racer Jesse Mutton, the scholarship helped support travel and training in Europe as part of the National Junior racing circuit in Italy. Competing internationally comes with significant cost, and the Mickell Scholarship made it possible for Jesse to access high-level racing opportunities, culminating in a top-10 finish (7th place in Sexton).

Jesse’s journey also highlights the resilience often required in athlete development. Following thumb surgery in the pre-season, returning to Europe and competing at this level was a major achievement. The experience reinforced a powerful lesson, while not everything is in an athlete’s control, maintaining enjoyment and perspective in sport is key.

Sport Bay of Plenty and BayTrust are proud to support opportunities like the Mickell Scholarship, helping to remove barriers so local athletes like Max and Jesse can access valuable competition experiences and continue to grow in their sport. We look forward to supporting the next group of recipients. Applications for the Mickell Scholarship open on 10 August 2026.

Applications for the Mickell Scholarship close on 20th September 2026. Decisions will be communicated by 12th October 2026. Further details can be found under the Athlete Scholarships section of our Funding page.

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