RPS backs Australian sports stars, takes Aussie Athlete Fund challenge
RPS is backing Australian sports stars in partnership with the Aussie Athlete Fund, making a $20K fundraising commitment to support Olympic sprinter Ebony Lane, and volleyball prodigy Luka Sazdov’s sporting careers.
20 June 2024 | 1 min read
Founded by five-time Olympian, Natalie Cook OAM OLY, the Aussie Athlete Fund is committed to helping athletes wear the green and gold without relegating themselves to a life of financial hardship. Launched this year, the Fund’s $1 MILLION CHALLENGE aims to pair 100 athletes with 100 businesses who will fundraise $10,000 to help them chase their sporting dreams.
RPS will support two athletes as part of the challenge – 4x100 metre relay sprint specialist, Ebony Lane from Victoria, and rising volleyball star, Luka Sazdov from Queensland.
RPS Chief Executive, Michael Owens said the company was proud to invest in the careers of athletes like Ebony and Luka.
“Australia has always been proud to produce the best athletes in the world, but it’s never been harder for sportspeople to chase the dream and compete at the highest level,” he said.
“Not only is it expensive to travel and compete, but they are also placed at an immediate financial disadvantage due to the time they must commit to training, rather than work or study. Many are literally subsisting below the poverty line, and others are having to abandon their sporting aspirations because it’s unaffordable.
“RPS typically shapes sporting success stories through our work on infrastructure projects – the stadiums and training facilities that make sport possible for communities. The $1 MILLION CHALLENGE is a great new way for RPS to get behind Australian sport and lend practical support to some deserving Aussie athletes. Not just now when they’re at the height of their careers, but into the future as well,” Mr Owens said.
Read more about Luka and Ebony and make a tax-deductible donation to support them below!
About Luka Sazdov
Luka Sazdov, a 16-year-old elite beach and indoor volleyballer, has built an impressive record of achievements throughout his volleyball journey. As a three-time Australian Beach Volleyball National Champion and a two-time Australian Indoor Volleyball National Champion, Luka’s dedication and talent are unmistakable.
Recently named Queensland’s Junior Beach Volleyball Male Player of the Year, Luka completed a successful stint of tournaments in America, which he plans to repeat this July.
He holds a full sporting scholarship at Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie), where he helped secure the past two undefeated GPS volleyball premierships and a gold medal at the Australian Beach Volleyball Schools Cup, making history by leading the first-ever Churchie beach volleyball team to success.
Remarkably, he has accomplished all this while actively managing the demanding pressures of Year 12, showcasing his potential to compete at the highest levels in Australia.
About Ebony Lane
Involved in athletics from age four, Ebony Lane would wait until she was 19 to make it to Nationals. Just prior to the pandemic, aged 21, Ebony, who had made two Stawell Gift finals, was making progress in the sprints after turning her focus from gift running to the track.
Then mid-pandemic she made remarkable progress smashing her PBs, highlighted by an outstanding 100m time of 11.39 in Brisbane. Over the next couple of years Ebony became a key member of the National 4x100m relay which would eventually in 2024 break the 24-year-old National record.
They broke it twice, the second time in May at the World Relays as the team qualified for the Paris Olympics.*
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Arthur Stamatoudis
Executive Director - Advisory
