3 Feb 2009

More than 450 people receiving sport scholarships

4:04 pm on 3 February 2009

The Government has announced more than 450 people will receive Prime Minister's Sport Scholarships this year.

The Sport and Recreation Minister Murray McCully says scholarships help ease the financial pressures faced by New Zealand's elite athletes as they juggle training with tertiary study.

He says the scholarships also enable coaches, officials and support team members to improve their skills through professional development opportunities.

A total of $4.25 million is being allocated this year.

This year's recipients include Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken; Kirsten Hellier, who coaches Olympic gold medallist Valerie Vili; boardsailing gold medallist Tom Ashley; rowing bronze medallist Nathan Twaddle, and swimmer Moss Burmester.