Put your hands together for our $1 Million Challenge Award winners
They are the champions! With our $1 Million Challenge at the finish line, it’s time to announce our 2024 award winners.
There is definitely cause for celebration as we look back over the achievements of the year.
The Aussie Athlete Fund $1 Million Challenge, Powered by Ampol has helped to break down athletes' financial barriers by providing fundraising education and opportunities along with assistance from businesses.
And now we are shining the spotlight on five athletes, who have gone above and beyond in their fundraising journey.
Our award winners receive a $5000 donation to their Australian Sports Foundation fundraising page and have also been selected to participate in the next steps towards learning to create a financially sustainable future, on and off the sporting field as they join the Elevate 20 Program.
Congratulations to our five 2024 Award winners:
Josh Bell - Biggest Fundraiser
This NSW Olympian raised an astonishing $25,964.76 – what a champion!
Josh, 29, who competed in the shooting event at the games in Paris, was able to use the money not only for his training and travel expenses, but to help ease the burden of the rising costs of training, competing and living pressures.
Josh’s guiding light in his sporting career is Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer.
“I feel he’s made just as much impact off the court as he has on the court,” he said.
“He’s a true gentleman, father and husband who never lost grip on just being a down to earth human.”
Josh Wood – Most Innovative Fundraising
The 17-year-old blind golfer, from Carindale, in Brisbane, was partnered with Westminster National, who raised over $20,000!
“This was the first time I had ever initiated a fundraising campaign, so I started with zero dollars in my ASF page at the beginning. I initially raised funds from sharing my story with my local golf club, Pacific, where I am a Junior member and with other groups and organisations who donated money via my ASF page. Pacific Golf Club, shared my story to all their members and also donated funds raised from the weekly meat raffle. This is where Nat's advice really assisted me, as sharing my story really was integral to this.
Then there was my big event, together with Michael from Westminster National, we held a golf day that was a five month campaign and attracted more than 80 players.”
In a clever move, the event included chocolate labelled with Josh’s QR code which linked to his donation page and thank you cards, all in braille, attached to all the welcome bags.
Josh, who spoke at the event using a braille speech, also visited all teams on course via a chaperoned golf buggy where he told his story one-on-one and sold lots of raffle tickets.
“I am still humbled by all the support and I have learned so much. It really did make such a huge difference being partnered with Michael who has become a friend through this whole process and am pleased to say that I now have over $20,000 in my ASF page!”
Emelia Surch – Best News Media Campaign
The 21-year-old heptathlon competitor from Parkwood, Queensland, had her story published online via Code Sports and also featured in the Gold Coast Bulletin and the Weekend Australian.
The focus was on the progression of her career, and the special relationship that she shares with her coach Glynis Nunn.
Emelia said she wanted to thank those who had already contributed to support her journey and hopefully encourage more people to donate.
“The news coverage had the desired effect,” she said.
“A gentleman from Sydney called my manager, donated $1,000, after reading the article in the Weekend Australian and then said to my manager, ‘I expect to be called when and if further fundraising is required for overseas track meets.’"
Emelia raised over $12,000 through her Australian Sports Foundation page.
Alexandra Haydon – Best Social Media Campaign
The 23-year-old squash player from South Australia was actively engaged on social media with ongoing posts and tags promoting AAF and her own journey.
“Winning the Best Social Media Campaign Award is truly exciting. Throughout the challenge, I aimed to make fun, engaging, and collaborative content, while also ensuring it represented the spirit of the challenge. I’m grateful for the support and interactions I’ve had with other athletes and businesses throughout the challenge. This experience has significantly contributed to my personal branding, growth, sponsorship and fundraising capacities.
“This program has motivated me to push beyond my limits and create meaningful, lasting impacts within my sport and the community, especially as I strive towards competing at the LA 2028 Olympics, where squash will make its debut,” she said.
“My social media campaign focused on raising awareness and participation in the $1 Million Challenge, while promoting my personal brand, partnered businesses and fundraising efforts of the WA exhibition I did with Joseph White and RaffleTix initiative with Pivot Sports. I utilised Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to engage diverse audiences effectively and as a result raised over $4,500.
Every post included clear calls to action, urging followers to participate and donate. Alex tagged partners/collaborators and consistently shared links in Instagram stories to maximise engagement. To create more engaging content, Alex partnered with three other athletes from the Challenge and swapped her racket for a pickleball paddle to see how she’d go.
Aislin Jones - Ampol All Rounder
The 24-year-old shooting Olympian from Shepparton, Victoria was the standout in this category.
Actively involved with all things AAF, Aislin is a top five fundraiser (totalling $19,030.94), is excellent on social and traditional media, and also an innovative thinker.
Aislin has worked tirelessly to elevate her fundraising and sponsorship journey and says she loved being part of the $1 Million Challenge.
“I really thrived knowing that I was learning and fundraising alongside a group of likeminded athletes,” she said.
“It was nice knowing that I wasn't alone in struggling to cover the expenses of competing at an elite level in sport.
“I know I've been able to take my fundraising and networking skills to a new level with this challenge and I wouldn't be in the position I am now if it weren't for this program.”
A huge thanks to all the athletes and businesses who have taken part in our $1 Million Challenge!
All the money the athlete raises themselves goes directly to their individual Australian Sports Foundation pages.
Join us in our mission to turn Green into Gold and create a sustainable athlete economy. Follow along on our socials or make a tax-deductible donation here.