Charlotte Derbyshire talent recognised with Sport Australia Hall of Fame Scholarship

Charlotte Derbyshire will follow in the footsteps of 2018 Commonwealth Games Mixed Relay gold medallists Jake Birtwhistle and Ashleigh Gentle as she is recognised as one of 32 rising Australian sporting talents in this year’s Sport Australia Hall of Fame (SAHOF) Scholarship & Mentoring Program.

A Youth Olympic Games Mixed Relay silver medallist, dual Junior World Championship team member and three-time Australian Junior Triathlon Champion, Derbyshire is one of 16 athletes awarded a Tier 3 scholarship in the expanded SAHOF program in 2021.

The South Australian born athlete will receive a $2,500 scholarship as part of the program, helping support her to continue to pursue her sporting dreams.

Speaking on the scholarship, Derbyshire said that she’s thrilled to be recognised in this way.

“It’s a pretty big achievement really, to be recognised among an amazing group of athletes who train and compete as hard as I do,” Derbyshire said.

“To see where [past scholarship holders Gentle and Birtwhistle] are now with that support, I really hope that one day I will be able to get to that level, and this scholarship is a small step on that pathway.”

“I’m stepping up into Under 23 racing next year from Junior, and I’m really excited to just keep developing and keep improving. This program is something that will definitely help me do that.”

National Performance Director Justin Drew said that the SAHOF Scholarship & Mentoring Program provides much needed financial support to the next generation of emerging sporting talent.

“It’s a great acknowledgement to the hard work and commitment that Charlotte has invested into her career,” Drew said.

“The financial support and encouragement that the program provides really allows our emerging athletes, like Charlotte, to continue to pursue success at the highest level.”

The Sport Australia Hall of Fame has been a long-time supporter of Australian triathlon talent, with Emma Carney, Michellie Jones OAM, Emma Snowsill OAM and Greg Welch OAM all in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.

In addition, athletes Holly Aitken, Jake Birtwhistle and Ashleigh Gentle all received mentorships over the past decade as part of the Scholarships and Mentoring Program, with Birtwhistle and Gentle continuing to receive ongoing support from Sport Australia as they strive to represent Australia at the Tokyo Olympics.