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Background to the Formation of the Amelia McGuiness Australian Snowsports Development Foundation.
On 27th August 2009, 16 year old Amelia McGuiness tragically died in a skiing accident on the slopes at the Perisher Resort, whilst there to participate in the NSW Interschools Snowsports Championships.
Her death devastated not only her immediate family - parents Cath and Sam, brothers Lachlan, William and Hamish, her extended family and friends, but also hundreds of teenagers across Sydney. Amelia, from a sheep and cattle farm in Boorowa (Central NSW), was a popular Year 11 boarder at Barker College.
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Amelia was a gift to all who were fortunate to have others to known her. While mourning her death, we have determined to make something positive out of this tragedy. Amelia loved life and outdoor pursuits and always encouraged do the same. During her short life she had pursued many sports and had even completed a tandem skydive.
She was a passionate and experienced skier, as are all her family. As a tribute to Amelia the "Amelia McGuiness Australian Snowsports Development Foundation" (AMASDF) has been established. The AMASDF is dedicated to providing practical support (for equipment, training, and resources - not cash grants), to up and coming winter snowsports athletes from the age of 10 to 19 years old, across all disciplines including disabled snowsports. The AMASDF is supported by the Australian Sports Foundation (ASF) through the Australian Sport Incentive Program, which enables donations of $2 or more to the ASF/AMASDF to be tax deductible. The AMASDF Management Committee has representatives from across the Snowsports Community who have widespread experience and knowledge in this field, along with links to the State and National Discipline Committees and Boards, and the Australian Snow Resorts and their communities. It is anticipated that in coming years, that the AMASDF will continue to maintain and expand its level of support for Junior Snowsports Athletes across Australia. The AMASDF operates through the NSW Snowsports Association (NSW Ski Association Ltd), with support for its establishment and initiatives from Ski & Snowboard Australia (SSA), and Interschools Australia.
And so, from the tragedy of Amelia's death, something positive has been created.
Launching the Amelia McGuiness Australian Snowsports Development Foundation
The 1st anniversary of Amelia's death fell in the week of the 2010 NSW State Interschool's Snowsports Championships held at Thredbo. The AMASDF Management Committee with assistance from NSW Interschools Snowsports, held the inaugural Amelia McGuiness Memorial Time Trial, with over 300 student, parent, and community members taking part, including Amelia's family. In addition, a raffle together with an auction of donated articles later that day raised over $30,000.00 for the AMASDF. It is planned to build on this new beginning for the AMASDF in the coming years.
Foundation Objectives
The objective of the AMASDF is to provide opportunities for aspiring winter athletes across all snow sport disciplines including disabled athletes, through the provision of equipment and resources. Athletes must be aiming to pursue their chosen discipline to an elite level with a dream and endeavour to represent Australia in the International arena.
The Foundation's support gives these athletes the opportunity to maintain a determined focus on their goal, to achieve their dreams and enable them to further their ambitions.
Athletes from 10 to 19 years of age are eligible to apply for assistance from the foundation, and financial support is awarded to deserving applicants who best demonstrate aspirations to further their development.
The Foundation aims to award a minimum of $20,000.00 annually in funding to individuals that satisfy the selection criteria.
To download an application forms and guidelines, click the button below or visit the interschools website interschools.org.au
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