The Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) is thrilled to announce a two-year partnership extension with The Sports Excellence Scholarship Fund (SESF) as a major community partner of the MCC Foundation.
The extended partnership will see the Club further support SESF in their work providing scholarships for athletes from disadvantaged and low socioeconomic backgrounds to pursue their sporting ambitions at the highest level.The SESF x MCC Foundation scholarships aim to not only alleviate the financial barriers associated with national or international competition, but also provide ongoing mentoring and development resources to help the students excel in their chosen sport.
Chair of the MCC Foundation Sally Macindoe said the Club was proud to extend its support for the SESF and acknowledged the significant impact the partnership will have for many aspiring young athletes.
“The MCC was born out of a passion for sport and as a Club we pride ourselves on not only celebrating sporting excellence, but celebrating participation and involvement in sport at all levels,” she said.
“The MCC Foundation supports the benefits that community participation in sport brings - from improving health outcomes and connectivity, to supporting and illuminating previously inaccessible pathways and helping participants realise their full potential.
“Together with SESF we have awarded more than 100 scholarships to deserving students from diverse walks of life, and I am thrilled that over the next two years our partnership will allow us to further support this emerging generation of Australian athletes.”
In 2022, the SESF accepted applications nationwide for the first time, awarding 145 scholarships to deserving athletes from six states across Australia.
However the number of applications submitted greatly outweighed available scholarships. With applicant numbers expected in increase further in 2023, support from partners like the MCC is crucial to support more deserving athletes and their families.
SESF Board Chair Andrew Horton spoke of the long-term importance of achieving greater outcomes for deserving athletes.
“We are thrilled to extend our partnership with the MCC and reach a further 120 athletes and their families by the end of 2024,” Mr Horton said.
“The MCC have been a significant supporter of the SESF and our mission which has enabled us to further our reach.
”2022 marked a significant year for the SESF with 145 scholarships awarded, and in 2023 we are looking to build on that number with the continued support of the MCC.”
The MCC Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Melbourne Cricket Club, the manager of the MCG, and whose aim is to preserve Australia’s sporting history and enhance access to sport for all Australians.