Athlete Applications

Applications are open to sportspersons of all ages who meet the following criteria: 

1. Are an Australian Citizen
2. Are a member of a national team (where applicable)
3. Are participating in a sport recognised by the Australian Sports Commission

• As an athlete, you must firstly complete an application form.
• If chosen, you will be part of the $1 Million Challenge - along with up to 99 other athletes where your goal is to raise $10,000 within a specified time via your Australian Sports Foundation [ASF] page - that you create.
• Chosen athletes:
  • AAF will aim to pair you with a business/organisation who will invest time and resources to assist you.
    • Please note not all athletes will be paired with a business. If the athlete has a business in mind, AAF will work with the athlete to get the business on board.
  • All athletes and businesses will have an initial induction call with the team at AAF.
  • AAF will introduce the athlete to their business/organisation to discuss how and what fundraising activations you would like to do as a team.
  • Athletes will be provided with access to the Challenge information page where they will find all the Challenge resources.
    • For example, the first resource and incentive will be a 10-module fundraising academy (online) thanks to etrainu, with the first module being how to create an ASF page.
  • The athlete will receive guidance and support throughout their fundraising journey and be rewarded with incentives when they hit certain fundraising targets visible on their ASF page. These incentives continue throughout the $10,000 Challenge.
    • Example incentive: athletes who reach $1,000 on their ASF page will receive FREE socks with thanks to Grip Star.
  • You will be able to join monthly calls where you can ask questions and hear from guest speakers. 

What you put in is what you get out, plus much more. 

• Aussie Athlete Fund will in their best endeavours find you a Challenge business partner, however the athlete is encouraged to seek their own business by networking. AAF and the athlete will work together to find a business partner for the athlete. 

• There is no limit. 

Our goal is for athlete/business pairs to raise $10,000 per athlete. However, the more money a pair can raise for an athlete the better: more competitions to enter, more high level training camps, better equipment and other items to help them perform at the highest level. 

Ensure you meet all of the eligibility criteria and complete an application form. 

Following is a DRAFT timeline of what you can expect: 

• March 3: Challenge applications open
• March 31: Challenge applications close
• April: Selections, pairing and completing agreements commence
• April: Fundraising Summit
• May 1: Official start date of the Challenge | Induction call for athletes and businesses | Officially announce athletes and businesses pairings
• May - October: Monthly calls, athletes create and execute fundraising events/activities, etc.
• September 1: Elevate 20 Program* applications and Award submissions open
• October 31: Challenge officially concludes
• October 31: Elevate 20 applications and Award submissions close
• November: Award winner announcements
• December: Elevate 20 officially commences
• December - March: Elevate 20 monthly calls, further support, etc.
• March 31 (following year): Elevate 20 Program officially concludes 

*Elevate 20 is an extension of the $1 Million Challenge, 20 athletes are chosen out of the 100 Challenge athletes to join a masterclass for their fundraising journey.