September 24, 2013
Kingaroy fast bowler Holly Ferling has been selected for the Sport Australia Hall of Fame Scholarship and Mentoring Program for 2014.
The 17-year-old is the first cricket player to receive a SAHOF Scholarship, which is valued at more than $10,000.
As part of the program Ferling – who played for Australia in the recent Test series against England – will be mentored by former Olympic gold medallist Kieren Perkins.
The Scholarship and Mentoring Program aims to help young Australian athletes achieve their potential in sport and in life and is awarded to five athletes under the age of 21 each year.
“We are delighted that Holly has been accepted for the Sport Australia Hall of Fame Scholarship and Mentoring Program for 2014,” CA Executive General Manager of Team Performance Pat Howard said.
“The program will provide Holly with a great opportunity to develop as an athlete and as an individual. She has had great success in her international career to date and she is a role model for young cricketers across Australia.
“Women and girls now account for 19 per cent or 180,000 of Australia’s 950,000 cricket participants and the growth in participation among girls and women has exceeded all expectations.
“The increase in numbers can be attributed in part to the success of the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars as well as Cricket Australia’s junior participation programs.”
Interviewed on the Cricket Australia website, Holly said she was “really excited” by the opportunities the scholarship would provide for her over the next 12 months.
“I am looking forward to working with Kieren Perkins and learning as much as I can about his experience as an athlete,” she said.
“It will be a great opportunity for me to gain a new perspective from an athlete who has excelled at the elite level in a sport other than cricket.”
