As anticipation builds for the 2026 Winter Olympics, HealthWISE is joining forces with the Northern Inland Academy of Sport (NIAS) to champion regional talent closer to home.
For the second year in a row, HealthWISE is supporting five New England North West athletes with $2000 Active Champions Fund grants to help them pursue their sporting goals – including wearing the green and gold at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.
“What stands out to us about these athletes isn’t just their performance – it’s their character, their leadership, and their commitment to their communities,” HealthWISE chief executive officer Sally Urquhart said.
“This fund isn’t just about medals or podiums. It’s about health. It’s about opportunity. And it’s about showing young people in regional Australia that their dreams matter and that their communities are backing them.”
NIAS regional manager Sue Charles was proud to share the successes of the 2025 Active Champions, including Guyra clay target shooter Charlie Ward’s selection in the Olympic International Shooting Sport Federation skeet program after earning gold in China, and mountain biker Ben Shaw winning gold at the 2025 Junior XCR National Championships.
The financial support went a long way – it took me all the way to Europe.
“The financial support went a long way – it took me all the way to Europe,” Calala hockey player and 2025 winner Archie Clarke told this year’s Active Champions. Archie played for the under 16 Australian Joeys in Europe last year.
Pole vaulter and 2025 winner Teddy Hampton said the fund allowed him to purchase new poles and travel to competitions in Perth and Brisbane.
“I know this journey requires years of dedication, sacrifice, and resilience, but I am prepared for the challenge. Rowing has taught me discipline, teamwork, and perseverance, and I believe these qualities will carry me forward,” Scone rower Isabella Henderson said.
The 2026 winner has already used the funds to help purchase her new boat, ‘Bubbles’.
The Armidale School student is striving for victory in the school’s most prestigious rowing event, Head of the River, while aiming for a podium finish at the Australian Rowing Championships in Tasmania and selection in the Australian junior team.
“The financial support went a long way – it took me all the way to Europe,” Calala hockey player and 2025 winner Archie Clarke told this year’s Active Champions. Archie played for the under 16 Australian Joeys in Europe last year.
Pole vaulter and 2025 winner Teddy Hampton said the fund allowed him to purchase new poles and travel to competitions in Perth and Brisbane.
“I know this journey requires years of dedication, sacrifice, and resilience, but I am prepared for the challenge. Rowing has taught me discipline, teamwork, and perseverance, and I believe these qualities will carry me forward,” Scone rower Isabella Henderson said.
The 2026 winner has already used the funds to help purchase her new boat, ‘Bubbles’.
The Armidale School student is striving for victory in the school’s most prestigious rowing event, Head of the River, while aiming for a podium finish at the Australian Rowing Championships in Tasmania and selection in the Australian junior team.
She dreams of representing her country at both the 2032 and 2036 Olympics.
“In my heart and mind, I truly believe I was born for this,” Isabella said. From regatta entry fees, training camps and travel costs to equipment upgrades, nutrition and recovery, she said the grant will cover a wide variety of essential costs.
For Tamworth basketballer Molly Stokeld, the funds will support her aspirations for selection in the NSW U16 state team and the Basketball NSW State Performance Program. An enthusiastic coach for younger players through Aussie Hoops and Mini Hoops programs, Molly loves teaching the game and staying involved in the local basketball community.
Armidale hockey players Luke Schmude and Luke Whitty both won gold with the NSW U18s state team at the Indoor National Championships in January. The duo also shares a sporting idol in Kookaburra player and Armidale local Nathan Czinner.
“He inspires me to keep pushing, knowing that with hard work and commitment, I can achieve my dreams, no matter where I come from,” Luke Schmude explained.
Luke Whitty believes that Nathan “shows that anything is possible for regional kids.”
I'm really happy and excited, and looking forward what it will help with and help me achieve.
This has started to take a little bit of the pressure off.
The support really goes a long way for things like travel and getting new gear.
Luke Schmude said the funds will help him compete at his best by offsetting costs for international competitions and easing the financial burden of training and travel. He is working towards a second year of selection in the U18s Australian Futures Squad as well as the U21s NSW outdoor team, and hopes to one day bring home an Olympic medal for his country.
Luke Whitty is also striving for selection in the U18s Australian Futures Squad along with the U18s NSW team. He said playing for Australia is his greatest goal. Luke feels the funds will take pressure off his parents who have made many sacrifices to support his pursuit of the highest level of his sport.
“My ultimate dream is to represent Australia in either hockey or athletics at the Commonwealth Games, and maybe even the Brisbane Olympics in 2032,” Calrossy student Charlotte Williams said.
A member of the NSW state hockey squad, Charlotte was recently selected as a shadow for the U16 team. Last year she won the Combined Independent Schools tournament for discus and was fifth in the state at the All Schools competition.
The grant will facilitate Charlotte’s out-of-town athletic coaching sessions, assist with competition travel and allow her to purchase new equipment.
It takes a village. It's not just me rowing my own boat down the course. It's my family, it's my community, it's my friends, it's the HealthWISE company that's been able to make this sponsorship that goes such a long way.
We live an hour out of town, so with petrol and accommodations... plus (competitions are) all over the state. It's just such a relief to know that I'm going to get some help.
Reflecting our commitment to health promotion, the scholarship is part of the HealthWISE Gift Fund, which has been supporting community wellbeing initiatives since 2018. These include kitchen gardens for local preschools, a nutritional program for Aboriginal mothers and skill building sessions for young cyclists.
The HealthWISE Gift Fund is made possible through our board, along with community donations.
To support the Gift Fund or learn more about it, click here.
