The ACT Academy of Sport (ACTAS) has announced its new scholarship holders for 2006. The squad for the 2006 season has a mix of seasoned international campaigners, and some young blood who are hoping to be the future of Australian orienteering. Between them, the 8 squad members have run 116 world championship races, and have over 15 years in Europe competing and training.

New for the 2006 season is that ACTAS is offering full scholarships in the National Training Centre, meaning that runners who have lived in the ACT for 2 years can have the full benefit of an ACTAS scholarship and still compete for their home states in the National Orienteering League. ACTAS is also offering scholarships at the National Training Centre for high performance orienteers who are based temporarily in the ACT, these scholarships being partly funded by the orienteers’ home states.

Scholarship holders receive support with a holistic approach to their athletic performance, under the guidance of the new head coach Grant Bluett. Apart from specific orienteering training, some of the areas athletes receive support in include sports science, psychology, career and educating assistance, nutrition, strength and conditioning, and medical support.

The 2006 scholarship holders are:

ACTAS High Performance

Jo Allison
Sophie Barker
Gareth Candy
Tom Quayle
David Shepherd

ACTAS, National Training Centre

Julian Dent (NSW)
Danielle Winslow (Tas.)

National Training Centre

David Meyer