One of the many grants provided by the Australian Sports Commission is the Elite Indigenous Travel and Accommodation Assistance Program (EITAAP). Provided jointly with the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government and the Arts and Sport, the EITAAP provides funding to Indigenous athletes selected for state, territory or national teams.

The program, which provides funding to assist with travel and accommodation, is available for both national and international travel. Applicants may be athletes, coaches, managers, officials or trainers.

One recent recipient is Queenslander Ayesha Kirby, a member of the Queensland under- 15 Girls’ Football team. The fifteen-year-old was first inspired by a few kids kicking a ball around a local field.

’We were driving past the soccer fields and saw some kids playing,’ says her Mum, Lisa Norrie.’ she said. ’She said she’d like to play so we thought, why not let her have a go and see if she likes it.’

A few years later, Ayesha had honed her talents to become a member of the Australian under-13 girls’ football team.

As a 2012 recipient of EITAAP funding, Ayesha was able to travel interstate in July to compete at the under-15 National Football Championships in Coffs Harbour.

‘The grant helped us immensely in getting Ayesha to the nationals,” says Lisa. “The whole process was straightforward and rewarding.’

At the championships Ayesha, who plays centre midfield, was awarded both the all-star medal and the Under-15 Player of the Championship trophy.

’Playing and competing at the national level has added significantly to my development as a player,’ she said.

It appears Ayesha’s dreams are as big as her talent, with her goal being to play for the Matilda’s overseas one day. She’s certainly off to a brilliant start.

More information on grants and funding provided by the ASC is available on the ASC website.