Ten young north Queensland athletes are being recognised today with a Clive Palmer Junior Sport Scholarship at a presentation function being held early this evening at Townsville RSL Stadium.

Scholarships will be awarded to junior and senior high school aged athletes nominated by five Townsville sporting organisations: Townsville Basketball, AFL Townsville, Townsville Netball, Townsville Football and Townsville and District Junior Rugby League. The scholarships are paid directly to the winner’s school to assist with ongoing education expenses while they continue to pursue sporting interests and possible representative sport careers.

“The scholarship component is an important element within our junior sport sponsorship program, as we believe it is essential for students to continue their schooling while pursuing sporting excellence,” said Managing Director Business Services Phil Collins.

The 2012 scholarship winners are:

“The assessment criteria for scholarship recipients is based on QN’s values and how we conduct business. These values closely align with the expectations of the junior sport associations,” Phil said.

Winners of the QN Clive Palmer Junior Sport Scholarship Award were assessed against the following criteria:

• Club contribution: volunteer time assisting with coaching and club activities

• Credibility: attendance at training and match games

• Respect: behavior towards peers, coaches, team-mates, referees/umpires

• Accountability: demonstrates leadership, advocates teamwork

• Results: on field performance

The junior sport partnership allows Queensland Nickel to support local sporting clubs, children and families with a focus on education and healthy lifestyle as an integrated sponsorship program.