Syd Corser scholarship

The most prestigious financial award presented by The Ron Tough Yachting Foundation is the annual scholarship. In 2019 this award became known as the Syd Corser Scholarship to honour the instrumental role that Syd played in the creation of The Ron Tough Yachting Foundation.

The purpose of the Scholarship is to assist the recipient to undertake a significant international campaign in circumstances where their clear development pathway and dedication demonstrates a real intention and ability to succeed if provided with the opportunity.

Focused on promoting excellence and developing youth, the scholarship is awarded to a West Australian individual or team that already has already demonstrated proven performance at the highest levels of National competition along with a clearly identified pathway to achieve excellence at the highest levels of international competition.

The Scholarship is about the talent and dedication of the individual sailors rather than the specific class of boat sailed.

Recipients are:

2024: Zac Littlewood– ILCA 7

2024: Stefan Elliott-Shircore – ILCA 7

2023: Ethan McAullay – ILCA 7

2022: Elyse Ainsworth – ILCA 6

2021: Zac Littlewood – Laser Radial

2020: Michael Compton – Laser Radial

2019: Chris Charlwood – 470

2018: Lachy Gilmour & Ryan Donaldson – 49er

2017: Zac Littlewood – Laser Radial

2016 Nia Jerwood – 420/470

2015 Conor Nicholas – Laser Radial

2014 Alistair Young – Laser

The Scholarship is open to all sailors’ resident in Western Australia who are current members of an Australian Sailing affiliated club in Western Australia.

In awarding the Scholarship the Directors take into consideration many factors including (but not limited to):

• Demonstrated high level competitive performance.
• Clearly identified pathway of intended international competition including clearly identified performance goals for events.
• Clearly established dedication to excellence and the achievement of identified competitive goals.
• Ongoing positive involvement and contribution to the sailing community in Western Australia.
• Other sources of assistance (financial or other) available to the applicant.

Scholarship applicants are also welcomed to make separate Grant applications; however, it is generally the case that an individual applicant will not receive more than one award in any given year.