Athletes line up for our inaugural Elevate 20 program
It’s time for our top athletes to take their fundraising game to the next level, as we launch our exciting Elevate 20 program.
This exclusive initiative seeks to elevate skills and opportunities for 20 elite athletes through coaching, networking, and education.
The athletes were selected from the 100 athletes who competed in our $1 Million Challenge, powered by Ampol.
They weren’t necessarily the top fundraisers but are athletes who are prepared to work off the court, out of the pool or away from the track. They are those who were willing to show up, put in the effort, attend calls, complete the athlete fundraising training academy education modules, show initiative, were active in collaborating with their partnered business and/or actively seeking businesses to partner with.
They are the athletes that built their own profile, can be amplified as ambassadors for the Aussie Athlete Fund $1 Million Challenge and willing to support future athletes coming through the Challenge.
Through the Elevate 20 master class program, they are provided with further skills, tools, business opportunities and networks to help them soar to new heights.
The Elevate 20 program will run from December 1, 2024 until February 28, 2025.
Elevate 20 includes:
- Exclusive fundraising education and event activation
- Regular fundraising coaching opportunities with Olympian Natalie Cook OAM OLY, and Green and Gold Greats
- A chance to feature on the Price You Pay podcast
- 12-month access to Playa Power scholarship
- A $5,000 donation to their individual Australian Sports Foundation page
- Exclusive merchandise
- Public relations and networking opportunities
- Additional incentive opportunities
Introducing our Elevate 20 athletes:
Josh Bell, 29, NSW – Shooting
“I’m an innovative thinker and love to challenge myself.
“This program could not have come along at a better time for myself after finding out I was successful in being selected to the Paris Olympics.
“The AAF gave me the platform and the push I needed to go from hoping I had achieved my outcomes to holding myself accountable and only giving myself one option of making it all come together.
“I would love nothing more than helping the next generation of sports athletes along the way and want to make a difference to that next group of people, along with my sport and the kids coming through. I want my impact off the field to be far greater than anything I do on the field.”
Caitlyn Bowell, 26, QLD – Sprint Canoe
“Being chosen for the Elevate 20 program is an inspiring milestone in my journey, and I’m incredibly grateful for the chance to grow my skills and expand my network alongside some of Australia’s most dedicated athletes.
“This opportunity is about more than personal success; it’s a chance to forge partnerships, gain the tools to make a lasting impact, and elevate the visibility of all athletes striving to achieve their dreams. I’m ready to give my all, not just in pursuit of my own goals, but to pave the way for future athletes to thrive and succeed in their own journeys.”
Hudson Brown, 16, QLD – Trampoline Gymnastics
“I’m incredibly grateful to be selected for the Elevate 20 program. It’s an amazing opportunity to gain support, enhance my brand, build my networking, expand my fundraising knowledge, and continue working with incredible mentors like Nat Cook. This program will have a big impact on my journey, and I’m excited to make the most of it!”
Jackson Collins, 25, QLD - Sprint Kayak (Silver medallist in Paris)
“After achieving a great result at the Paris Olympics, I want to focus my energy on having a fantastic domestic season in the kayak and in the surf. I will be training full time to reclaim my national titles in both surf ski and sprint kayak in March. I want to continue to perform at a high level and want to do so across multiple disciplines. I am proudly partnered with Abundance Global and I can’t wait to attend their next event where I will be sharing my Olympic story.”
Ashlee Daunt, 24, QLD – Sailing
“I will endeavour to use this program to continue learning and implementing different promotional activities to assist in easing the financial burden which comes with such an expensive sport such as sailing.”
Jeff Dunne, 17, NSW – Breaking
“I competed in the Paris Olympics as breaking made its debut. I was the youngest going in and had the gold and silver medallists in my round robin.
“Being part of the Elevate program will help with my fundraising so I can achieve my next goals of being part of the Red Bull BC One team which requires a great deal of overseas travel to compete in world battles.”
Tenealle Fasala, 22, QLD – Water Polo
“I am so honoured to have been selected as part of the Elevate 20 Program. I am so excited to work closely with the experts in this team to help me achieve my goal to secure a sponsor who will back my journey into the 2028 LA Olympics.
“A massive shout out to the team at AAF for supporting athletes in their goals to compete for Australia on the international stage. The work everyone puts in is not unseen and our athletes can feel the immediate positive impact they have had on our journey.”
Stefanie Fejes, 19, QLD – Beach Volleyball
"Being selected for the Elevate 20 Program is a huge honour, and I am so excited and grateful for the opportunity.
“I am eager to leverage the program's unique benefits, such as providing invaluable resources, including access to fundraising support, brand development, mentorship from experts like Nat Cook and continue pushing boundaries. This program aligns with my ambition to strengthen my personal brand, enhance my community outreach, and maximise my athletic potential through sponsorship and marketing opportunities.
“I am excited to continue to inspire younger athletes and raise awareness for athlete well-being, a cause I’ve been actively championing. I can’t wait to see what we can achieve together!”
Maggie Grey, 14, QLD – Diving
“I’m grateful to be a part of the Elevate 20 program. I’ve been actively pursuing sponsors to support my journey to success and have already learnt many tips and tricks.
“In addition, I’ve started a small business called Betty’s Berries, which not only helps me raise funds but is also designed to support other athletes in the future.”
Alexandra Haydon, 23, SA – Squash
“I have truly enjoyed dedicating myself to the $1 Million Challenge and am excited to continue elevating my fundraising and sponsorship journey.
“I believe this program will help me further create meaningful and impactful change both within my sport and community, especially as I work towards competing on the world stage at the LA 2028 Olympics, where squash will debut.
“The Elevate 20 Program aligns perfectly with my drive to elevate my fundraising, sponsorship, and community building journey. I am excited by the opportunity to develop further skills and to expand my impact.”
Ben Holliday, 16, SA – Motorsport | Karting
“Being chosen for the Elevate 20 Program is amazing and I'm excited to see where this incredible opportunity will take me next.
“The Challenge has empowered me with the confidence to go out and actively seek financial support. Most of the funds I have raised via the ASF page have come from people we know. My next step is finding more ways to engage with organisations where I don't have a personal connection.
“I look forward to being able to amplify my fundraising journey to the next level with the Elevate 20 program.”
Jack Howell, 20, QLD – Para Triathlon
“I'm keen to learn from the program and identify the things I can do better, start, or learn in order to gain financial and other support.
“I have learned to do 'smart fundraising’ and as a para-athlete it is such an incredible feeling to be seen, respected, and supported by the AAF team and program.”
Holyee Jackson, 15, QLD – BMX Racing
“Being accepted for the Elevate 20 program will allow me to put the knowledge into action to create a consistent fundraising experience. I have so many ideas I would love to gain as much information as I can to make my fundraising journey the best it can be so I can help others, which is my passion.”
Aislin Jones, 24, VIC – Shooting
“I'm really excited to have won an Aussie Athlete Fund award! A huge thank you to Nat and her amazing team! It's been an amazing program that has the power to help so many athletes at all stages of their careers.
“Whilst I already had some experience fundraising, I’ve gained so much from the Program and I was able to take my skills to a new level with the $1 Million Challenge.
“I've implemented a lot of the key learnings such as QR codes on flyers, reaching out to businesses and improving my ASF page. I am looking forward to developing my skills further, look for other PR and networking opportunities to continue to grow my personal brand and grow as an athlete.”
Molly McGill, 23, QLD – Track Cycling
“I am so grateful for the opportunities that have already been provided by the Aussie Athlete Fund. The $1 Million Challenge has been such a great experience for me.
“I have learnt so much and I am extremely passionate to continue to learn more and grow my personal brand.”
“Being selected for the Elevate 20 program is a huge honour. It’s such an exciting time, and I’m looking forward to the chance to learn, grow, and connect with others who are just as passionate about reaching new heights. This opportunity truly means a lot to me!”
Lucas Pascoe, 17, QLD – Pickleball
“I am very excited, honoured and grateful to be accepted into the Elevate 20 Program. It's a fantastic opportunity and additional learnings with Elevate will give me the time to really focus and learn how to fundraise - it is something I realise I will need to do every year, and probably every day while being an athlete.”
Emelia Surch, 21, QLD – Athletics
“I’m really excited to a part of the Aussie Athlete Fund and Elevate 20 program and can't wait to see how far we can promote it and get people on board.
“I'll not only be supported by people that care, know and understand the real-life struggles of an emerging athlete, I'll be supported with education and guidance around how to fund my training and competition fees and how to bring awareness to Australian athletes and our needs.”
Kayla Waller, 24, QLD – Softball
“I am ready to show up, put in the effort, and leverage the skills and tools provided by the Elevate 20 program to not only advance my career but also inspire and support future athletes through this journey.
“Being selected as part of the Elevate 20 Program is an incredible opportunity in my journey as an Australian softball player. This masterclass will provide me with the skills, tools, and networks needed to take my fundraising and sponsorship to the next level.
“I'm excited to learn from industry experts and connect with business opportunities that will help me grow as both an athlete and a professional and continue my pursuit in putting my beloved sport in the limelight.
“I'm truly grateful to be part of this program and look forward to leveraging the skills and tools provided by the Elevate 20 program to not only advance my career but also inspire and support future athletes through this journey. All while making a lasting impact in the world of Australian softball.”
Chad Willett, 19, QLD – Rowing
“I am so grateful to have been able to be a part of the $1 Million Dollar Challenge. The lessons, information, skills, insights, stories and contacts shared have been absolutely amazing – and for that I will be forever grateful.
“I now have an ASF page – I didn’t even know what that was before the Challenge. I now have business cards with a QR code. I now have money in the bank to pay my rowing invoices with. I now have a big list of donors to keep up to date on my progress via emails (my ups and downs).”
I have learnt a phenomenal amount by being in the Challenge and I would like to think my learning journey is not over yet. I am so grateful to have been selected into the Elevate 20 Program because for elite athletes learning to fundraise is just as important as training, eating and recovering.”
Josh Wood, 17, QLD – Blind Golf
“It is incredible to be selected to be part of the Elevate 20 Program.
“Being a part of the Aussie Athlete Fund has been a wonderful experience and I have learnt so much from Nat Cook and her team who do so much for all the athletes.
“I was very fortunate to be partnered with Michael Larkin from Westminster Finance who went above and beyond to assist me with the $1Million Challenge. I am grateful to have been selected among such inspiring athletes. I would also like to encourage other athletes to become involved.”
