ACCSC supports the Aussie Athlete Fund
The Aussie Athlete Fund was founded to create a sustainable athlete economy so our next generation and those who follow, can wear the green and gold and can retire not in debt, but with the education, connections and skills required to flourish outside of sport.
Support an athlete today!
For a limited number of learners, we’re supporting Australian athletes with a donation for each new enrolment. For each enrolment that uses an athlete’s code, we’ll also be donating $100 to their Olympic journey.
Olly Merritt
Olly Merritt, at the age of 23, has already embarked on a remarkable athletic journey that has taken unexpected turns. Initially Olly spent his formative years believing that his destiny lay in becoming a professional golfer on the PGA Tour. Pursuing this dream with relentless ambition, he even ventured across continents to America, where he played college golf for a year. He was obsessed with the lifestyle and one day decided to change it all. This fundraising journey is run in conjunction with the Aussie-Athlete Fund 1 Million dollar challenge, powered by Ampol.
However, fate had other plans for Olly. Despite his desire to gracefully conclude his athletic pursuits and transition into a more conventional life, Olly stumbled upon beach volleyball. Thinking he was content with a life of high-level sport with no actual path terrified Olly into fully immersing himself into this new dream.
In just a mere year and a half of committing himself in the world of beach volleyball, Olly’s natural talent and relentless work ethic caught the eye of selectors. His recent successes on the national tour catapulted him into the spotlight, earning him a coveted spot on the National Beach Volleyball Team in April 2024. This opportunity beckoned him to relocate to Adelaide, where he now dedicates himself fully to training.
Despite bypassing the conventional trajectory of junior development programs, Olly’s ascent in beach volleyball stands as a testament to his raw ability and unyielding determination. Now entrenched in a full-time training environment, Olly anticipates a rapid growth in his skills, poised to make waves in the competitive realm of beach volleyball toward Olympic success.
Maggie Grey
Maggie Grey, one of Australia’s top junior platform divers, is on track to represent the country at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. At just 14, Maggie has dominated both internationally and nationally. Maggie is the current Junior World Platform Champion, a 5 x Australian Champion and she has also won numerous competitions in Germany, America and Norway.
Jeff Dunne
Hi, I’m Jeff Dunne, a 17-year-old and I have just returned from an amazing experience and time competing at the Olympic’s as a Breaker. Although I didn’t achieve the result I was aiming for I had trained super hard and my preparation was on point. Being in the village was awesome to be able to meet and hang out with such incredible talent that I look up to.
Holyee Jackson
I have been racing BMX since I was 2 and a Half years old and I have a dream which is quickly becoming a reality through my Hard work and Determination in my sport of BMX. That dream “2032 Olympic Games” Held right here in my home country of Australia.
Caitlyn Bowell
Hi, I’m Caitlyn Bowell, a 26 year old Sprint Canoe athlete and Paediatric Nurse from Brisbane. Ever since I was 11, I’ve been passionate about physical and mental wellbeing and I’ve had the goal of being an Australian Olympian. I still remember the thrill of winning my first medal in a sporting event. Since then, I’ve been State and National Champion in three different sports, I’ve dedicated countless hours to training, pushing my limits, and striving to be the best I can be.
Josh Wood
Joshua Wood, high school student from Brisbane, Australia, is a rising star of Blind Golf. With unwavering determination, resilience, and a superlative work ethic, Josh has had success in numerous golf tournaments. Born with a rare eye condition that caused him to be severely vision impaired and legally blind, Joshua has faced his share of adversity. Yet, true to his nature, he never complains, and instead channels his energy into helping others and relentlessly pursuing his passion for golf.
Hudson Brown
I’m Hudson, a 16-year-old trampoline gymnast with big dreams and even bigger goals. I’ve been fortunate to achieve some incredible milestones in my career so far, including earning a spot on the 2024 Australian National Trampoline Squad and representing my country at international events.
Kayla Waller
My name is Kayla Waller, and I’m chasing an Olympic dream – while working full-time, studying part-time, and giving everything I have to represent Australia in softball. It’s not easy, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’ve been part of the Open Women’s Australian Softball Squad, and my goal is to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles and 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games. I’m deeply passionate about advancing women’s sport and being a role model for the next generation – especially young girls who dream of playing at the highest level.
Ben Holliday
Meet Ben Holliday, a talented 17-year-old from South Australia, fuelled by dreams of a career in motorsport. Currently, Ben is competing in the 2025 TGRA Scholarship Series, The first of five rounds kicked off at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit at the beginning of March.
Olly Short
Racing motorcycles is in my blood. Every second I’m not racing I’m working to fund it. I began my road racing journey in 2019 and within that time I have a host of State level wins and consistent top 5 national placings to my name.
I truly am dedicated to this sport and I have the drive to get there. I’m a self funded rider and work incredibly hard to compete at a national level against big teams. Every cent I earn is put into racing but I won’t let my financial limitations hold me back.
Why we’re participating
Many talented young athletes are denied the opportunity to pursue their dreams of representing Australia because they or their families can’t afford to fund the escalating costs of living, training and competition fees.
After years of investigation, engagement and passion, Nat Cook OAM OLY founded the Aussie Athlete Fund – an innovative model to directly support aspiring elite athletes. Nat’s own experience as a five-time Olympian, and those of her fellow elite athletes, highlight that many selected to represent Australia are hindered by lack of finances. Athletes are expected to win gold medals on less than the minimum wage. Balancing elite training, competitions, recovery, work, study and day to day life often isn’t feasible. Many athletes quit, burn out or both.
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More ways you can get involved
Help our next generation of athletes represent us all as they wear the Green and Gold, with pride with a monthly or one-time, 100% tax-deductible donation.
Your donation will fund the opportunity to afford new equipment, extra physiotherapy, proper nutrition, coaching, and the ability to fly to training camps and international competitions, especially in the lead up to our home Games. For donations of $2 or more, donors are eligible to claim a tax deduction.
