Deadline: 30-Jun-2026
The Ross Bohm Award provides funding support to disabled sportspeople living in the Rotorua and Taupō District communities of New Zealand. The award helps eligible athletes participate in their chosen sport by assisting with costs associated with training, competition, development opportunities, and approved travel, while encouraging greater inclusion and participation in sports.
About the Ross Bohm Award
The Ross Bohm Award was established to support disabled athletes who are committed to participating and progressing in their chosen sport. The programme recognizes the dedication, effort, and financial challenges often faced by disabled sportspeople when accessing competitions, training opportunities, equipment, and sporting development activities.
Through financial assistance, the award aims to remove barriers that may prevent athletes from reaching their sporting goals. The programme encourages active participation, personal development, inclusion, and achievement in sport while supporting individuals who represent their communities through athletic involvement.
The award focuses on helping disabled sportspeople access opportunities that contribute to their growth, confidence, wellbeing, and sporting success.
Award Objectives
The Ross Bohm Award aims to:
- Support disabled athletes in pursuing sporting opportunities
- Increase participation in competitive and recreational sports
- Reduce financial barriers to sporting involvement
- Encourage personal and athletic development
- Promote inclusion and accessibility in sport
- Assist athletes in accessing training and competition opportunities
- Support travel related to sporting participation
- Encourage excellence and achievement in sport
- Strengthen community involvement and representation
The programme seeks to create opportunities that help athletes achieve their sporting ambitions while promoting wider participation in sports across the Rotorua and Taupō communities.
Funding Purpose
Funding is intended to help disabled sportspeople participate more effectively in their chosen sport.
The award may assist with expenses related to:
- Sporting competitions
- Training programmes
- Coaching and athlete development
- Sporting equipment
- Participation costs
- Travel arrangements
- Sporting events and tournaments
- Athlete development opportunities
All funding must be used for approved purposes that directly support sporting participation and development.
International Travel Support
The award allows funding to be used for travel associated with sporting opportunities outside New Zealand under specific conditions.
Eligible travel support includes:
- International travel booked through accredited New Zealand travel agents
- Airfare and travel expenses paid within New Zealand
- Approved travel costs connected to sporting participation
However, there are important restrictions.
Funding cannot:
- Be spent outside New Zealand
- Be used for overseas purchases
- Be used for expenses paid directly overseas
All approved travel-related payments must be processed within New Zealand through accredited travel providers.
Applicants planning to participate in international sporting events should clearly explain how travel arrangements will comply with these requirements.
Who Can Apply?
The Ross Bohm Award is specifically designed for disabled athletes living within the Rotorua and Taupō District communities.
Eligible applicants include:
- Disabled sportspeople
- Amateur athletes
- Individuals participating in recognised sports
- Athletes pursuing training or competition opportunities
- Sports participants seeking development opportunities
The award supports athletes across a broad range of sporting disciplines.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the Ross Bohm Award, applicants must:
- Be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
- Currently reside within the Rotorua District or Taupō District communities
- Be a disabled sportsperson
- Participate in a chosen sport
- Be seeking support for sporting participation or development
- Use funding only for approved sporting purposes
Applicants should clearly demonstrate how the award will contribute to their sporting goals and participation.
Professional Athlete Restrictions
The Ross Bohm Award is intended for amateur athletes rather than professional competitors.
Applicants are not eligible if they:
- Hold professional athlete status
- Receive payment for competing
- Receive payment for participation in their sport
- Earn income directly from professional sporting activities
The programme focuses on supporting individuals who participate in sport primarily for development, competition, recreation, and achievement rather than professional financial gain.
Eligible Uses of Funding
Funding may support a variety of sporting expenses that contribute directly to participation and development.
Examples may include:
- Competition entry fees
- Coaching and training expenses
- Sports development programmes
- Sporting equipment and resources
- Travel for competitions
- Athlete preparation activities
- Training camps
- Sporting event participation
- Development opportunities
Applicants should clearly explain how requested funding will contribute to their sporting progress and participation.
Selection Process
Applications are assessed and selected by the Geyser Community Foundation.
The assessment process may include:
- Review of application materials
- Verification of eligibility requirements
- Evaluation of sporting participation and goals
- Consideration of proposed use of funds
- Interviews where required
Applicants may be invited to attend an interview before final funding decisions are made.
The Foundation’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the outcome.
Recipient Responsibilities
Successful recipients are expected to comply with all conditions attached to the award.
Recipients must:
- Use the funding for approved purposes
- Follow all award conditions
- Participate in required promotional activities
- Represent the programme positively
- Comply with accountability requirements
- Use the grant within the approved timeframe
Recipients should ensure that all funded activities align with the objectives outlined in their application.
Promotional Activities and Public Recognition
Award recipients may be asked to participate in activities that promote the programme and celebrate sporting achievement.
These activities may include:
- Media interviews
- Foundation publications
- Community events
- Award presentations
- Promotional campaigns
- Social media engagement
Information about recipients and the impact of the award may be used by the Foundation for promotional and awareness purposes.
Recipients are encouraged to acknowledge support from the Geyser Community Foundation through:
- Public recognition
- Event acknowledgements
- Social media posts
- Use of the hashtag #geysergifts
These activities help highlight the achievements of recipients and increase awareness of available community funding opportunities.
Award Presentation
Successful applicants will receive their awards at special functions organized within the local community.
Award ceremonies are typically held in:
- Rotorua
- Taupō
These events provide an opportunity to recognize recipients and celebrate their achievements alongside community supporters and stakeholders.
Award Conditions and Revocation
Recipients are expected to maintain appropriate standards of conduct throughout the award period.
The award may be revoked if:
- Grant conditions are breached
- Funding is used for unapproved purposes
- Required obligations are not fulfilled
- A recipient engages in behaviour considered inappropriate by the Foundation
Maintaining compliance with all programme requirements is essential to retaining the award.
Funding Timeframe
Recipients are expected to use the funding within:
- 12 months of receiving the award
Applicants should ensure that proposed activities can be completed within this timeframe.
Projects, competitions, and sporting opportunities should be planned accordingly to maximize the benefit of the funding.
Why This Award Matters
Disabled athletes often face additional financial and logistical challenges when participating in sport. Costs associated with travel, equipment, training, and competition can create significant barriers to participation and development.
The Ross Bohm Award helps reduce these barriers by providing targeted support that enables athletes to access opportunities that enhance their sporting experiences and personal growth.
The programme contributes to:
- Greater sporting participation
- Improved accessibility in sport
- Athlete development
- Increased confidence and wellbeing
- Community inclusion
- Recognition of sporting achievement
- Expanded opportunities for disabled athletes
By investing in athletes, the award helps strengthen both individual achievement and broader community engagement in sport.
How to Apply
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Ensure that you are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident residing within the Rotorua or Taupō District communities and meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.
Step 2: Identify Your Sporting Need
Clearly explain the sporting activity, competition, training programme, or development opportunity for which funding is requested.
Step 3: Demonstrate Impact
Describe how the funding will improve your participation, performance, development, or access to sporting opportunities.
Step 4: Prepare Supporting Information
Gather any documentation that supports your sporting achievements, participation history, or future plans.
Step 5: Submit Your Application
Complete all required forms and provide accurate information before the application deadline.
Step 6: Attend an Interview if Requested
Be prepared to participate in an interview as part of the assessment process.
Tips for a Strong Application
Applicants can improve their chances of success by:
- Clearly explaining their sporting goals
- Demonstrating commitment to their chosen sport
- Providing detailed plans for the use of funding
- Showing how the award will create meaningful opportunities
- Highlighting achievements and participation history
- Demonstrating community involvement
- Explaining future development goals
Applications that clearly show both need and potential impact are often more competitive.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Common application weaknesses include:
- Incomplete applications
- Missing eligibility requirements
- Unclear explanations of funding needs
- Lack of supporting information
- Failure to demonstrate sporting involvement
- Requesting ineligible expenses
- Missing deadlines
- Insufficient explanation of expected outcomes
Careful preparation can significantly strengthen an application.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Ross Bohm Award?
The Ross Bohm Award provides funding to disabled sportspeople living in the Rotorua and Taupō District communities to support participation and development in their chosen sport.
Who can apply?
Disabled athletes who are New Zealand citizens or permanent residents and currently reside within Rotorua or Taupō District communities may apply.
Can funding be used for international travel?
Yes. International travel may be supported if all travel expenses are paid within New Zealand through an accredited travel agent. Funds cannot be spent overseas.
Can professional athletes apply?
No. Applicants must not hold professional status or receive payment for competing or participating in their sport.
Who selects the recipients?
Applications are assessed and selected by the Geyser Community Foundation.
How long do recipients have to use the funding?
Recipients are expected to use the funding within 12 months of receiving the award.
Can the award be revoked?
Yes. The award may be revoked if recipients breach the conditions of the programme or engage in inappropriate behaviour.
Conclusion
The Ross Bohm Award provides valuable support to disabled sportspeople across the Rotorua and Taupō communities, helping them access training, competitions, travel opportunities, and sporting development activities. By reducing financial barriers and encouraging greater participation in sport, the programme promotes inclusion, personal growth, and athletic achievement.
Athletes who demonstrate commitment to their chosen sport and have clear plans for how funding will enhance their participation and development should consider applying. Strong applications that highlight sporting goals, community connections, and meaningful outcomes are likely to be well positioned for support.
For more information, visit Geyser Community Foundation.