Six Aotearoa Athletics Trust Grant Recipients Bound For Glasgow Commonwealth Games
New Zealand shot-putting legend Tom Walsh and high-jumping sensation Hamish Kerr reacted with pride today after hearing six Aotearoa Athletics Trust grant recipients named alongside them in the New Zealand Commonwealth Games Athletics team.
Walsh and Kerr, and Commonwealth Games and World Championships representative Portia Bing, co-founded the Aotearoa Athletics Trust to help bring more equity to their sport by bridging the critical funding gaps many elite track and field athletes face in qualifying for and competing in major international competitions.
The announcement today shows over a quarter of New Zealand’s Commonwealth Games Athletics team has had financial support from the Aotearoa Athletics Trust on their road to Glasgow.
Kerr says it’s thrilling to see the positive impact the non-profit organisation is having within the sport already:
“We launched this Trust just last year with the intention of giving more kiwi athletes a crack on the world stage, and we’ve been blown away by the level of support we’ve received and the difference it’s already making to our sport.
“We’re proud to be a part of Briana, Max, Maddie, Nick, Anthony, and Lauren’s journey to Glasgow, and congratulate them on being named in the team today. We hope the whole country gets behind them and supports us in helping even more athletes pull on the black singlet in the future.”
Co-Founder Portia Bing explains the Trust is an independent, collaborative, athlete-led initiative that provides meaningful support for elite track and field athletes faced with a significant financial shortfall:
“While we want to clear those financial hurdles to give athletes those opportunities, for me, the bigger picture is always about the impact back home. When a Kiwi athlete is given the chance to succeed globally, they return with a powerful story and the experience to inspire an entire community.”
“There is a lot more to do, but we’re off to a great start. Our grants aim to help alleviate financial pressure by supplementing expenses related to qualifying and preparing for major championships, which in turn allows athletes to focus on training and performance rather than fundraising.”
“Seeing so many of our grant recipients being named in the Commonwealth Games team today represents exactly the kind of impact the Trust was designed to achieve.”
For one such recipient Briana Stephenson, this will be the first time she pulls on the black singlet for New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games. She acknowledges the vital support the Aotearoa Athletics Trust is playing in her preparation:
“I am incredibly grateful to receive an Aotearoa Athletics Trust Grant this year. One of the biggest, unspoken challenges of being an athlete at this level is the associated financial stress, so AAT's support eases that burden and allows me to focus on performing well this year. What they are doing for athletics in NZ is incredibly valuable - not only reducing the financial strain on self funded athletes, but also showing their belief in our journeys.”
Meanwhile co-founder Tom Walsh is looking forward to defending his title at what will be his fourth Commonwealth Games, and seeing what the Team as a whole can achieve:
“Track and Field is a truly international sport. If we want our nation to keep punching above our weight on the world stage, we need to keep creating more pathways that support our athletes in qualifying for major championships.”
"We've seen too many talented athletes miss opportunities due to financial constraints, and today is another milestone in the Aotearoa Athletics Trust’s vision of helping to plug those gaps."
Founded by athletes at the top of their game to leave a legacy of support for more kiwi athletes to succeed on the world stage, New Zealanders are invited to join the team and support more athletes on their journey by donating via our website.
The Trust is supported by a Board of volunteers, including Commonwealth Games chef de mission Nigel Avery. Other prominent figures in the Athletics community such as Eliza McCartney, Zoe Hobbs, Sam Ruthe, Sarah Cowley-Ross and Zion Armstrong have donated their time and energy to the cause.
Looking ahead, the Trust plans to expand its support network through community engagement events that connect athletes, sponsors, and stakeholders. Alumni engagement will also play a key role, with past athletes contributing through fundraising and mentoring activities.
"We're wanting to build something sustainable here," Kerr emphasised. "This is about long-term impact, creating pathways for the next generation of athletes, and ensuring New Zealand continues to punch above its weight in international athletics.”
The full list of Aotearoa Athletics Trust grant recipients named in the New Zealand Commonwealth Games Athletics team for 2026 are as follows:
- Maddie Wilson (Heptathlon)
- Briana Stephenson (Heptathlon)
- Anthony Barmes (Hammer Throw)
- Lauren Bruce (Hammer Throw)
- Max Attwell (Decathlon)
- Nick Palmer (Shot Put)
The full list of Aotearoa Athletics Trust grant recipients for 2026 are as follows:
Emerging Athlete Grant (supported by Withiel Fund Charitable Trust)
- Nick Palmer (Shot Put)
- Maddie Wilson (Heptathlon)
- Anthony Barmes (Hammer Throw)
Main Grant
- Briana Stephenson (Heptathlon)
- Lauren Bruce (Hammer Throw)
- Max Attwell (Decathlon)
- Tiaan Whelpton (100m)
- Alison Andrews-Paul (800m)
The AAT co-founders and Board would like to thank the significant sponsors and public donations that have helped make these grants possible.
Kiwis can follow along with AAT athletes this year by following us on Instagram and Facebook.
Click here to view the full Athletics team.
Photo credit: The NZ Team
