Thirty Wanaka Snowsports Club (WSC) Grassroots recipients will receive financial support to help with their snowsports pursuits this winter.

The Grassroots funding helps with the cost of snowsports improvement for school children in years 2-8.

In this funding round of $15,000 each recipient has been granted $500 to go towards local training, WSC grants coordinator Bonny Teat said.

More than $150,000 has been distributed via Grassroots since the club began the initiative in 2013.

Bonny said it had assisted many young club members as they trained towards their dreams.

Their goals ranged from “learning new skills on snow, others of winning medals locally and some of representing New Zealand, like the 2024 Youth Olympians”.

The Grassroots recipients were celebrated at an event in June.

“This year’s young skiing and snowboarding recipients received their 2024 certificates and were entertained by a film and chat opportunity with previous grassroots athletes,” Bonny said.

The previous recipients included Kezik Magill, Charlotte Wiggins, Aiden Fitzpatrick and Harry Rowden, freeskier Sylvia Trotter and alpine racer Bella Bradley - all of whom were recipients of club grants to help them with the cost of competing in the northern hemisphere this past summer, Bonny said.

The club also celebrated its six returning Youth Olympic Games athletes at an event last month, with the older club members reliving their experience in Korea for younger members.

Bonny thanked everyone in the Upper Clutha who helped support the club.

“A community really helps to create an athlete.”

The Wānaka Snowsports Club is the biggest club of its kind in New Zealand, helping to support local rising snowsports athletes.

PHOTO: Supplied