Scholarship

87
Scholarships Awarded
$1,000,000
Scholarship funding committed
1750
hours of workshop content completed
736
mentor hours

The Tania Dalton Foundation aims to award up to 14 scholarships each year.

Our Scholarship Programme is the flagship programme for TDF and is in honour of Tania's legacy of supporting young women in sport. The Scholarships will support the recipients over a three-year period providing financial assistance, one-on-one mentoring support and personal development opportunities.

The ultimate goal of the programme is for these young women to then ‘pay it forward’ and contribute back to their communities and continue the legacy for future generations.

Scholarship Recipients

TDF has partnered with the following national sporting codes (NSO) – netball, basketball, rugby, surf lifesaving, touch, tennis, volleyball, football, cricket, athletics, softball, hockey and triathlon to identify talented and deserving young sportswomen that meet the criteria for the TDF scholarship.

If you're interested in learning more about the programme please talk with your NSO first, or email georgie@taniadaltonfoundation.org.nz

The application process typically begins around July with interviews carried out in September/October.  Scholarships are awarded for three years but recipients must be prepared to commit to attend all workshops and activities in NZ.

Class of 2024

Farina is in Year 12 at Onslow College in Wellington and has played football since she was five living in Colombia.
She is currently part of the Under 18 National League.

Farina Anchico

Football/Futsal
Rebel Sport

Hayley is currently in Year 12 at Palmerston North Girls High School and our first Triathlete.

In 2022 Hayley came third in the NZSS National Triathlon Champs aftercoming back from injury having won it the previous year. She also won age group National Secondary School Champs for Cycling Points racing, Athletics and Cross Country.

Hayley Cornwall

Triathlon
Natasja Barclay & Martyn Reesby

Ayla is currently in Year 11 and boards at Scot’s College Wellington and originally hails from Hunterville.  She is currently ranked 3rd in NZ for U15 years and in 2023 won the U16 Indoor Doubles Championship.  In 2023 she was selected to represent NZ in the U15 Australian Champs and a non-travelling Reserve 16 and under for Billy Jean King Cup in Kazakhstan.

Ayla Giesen

Tennis
Vero Liability

Te Arawa -Tuhourangi Ngati Wahaio 

Sahara iscurrently in Year 10 at Rotorua Girls High School.

In 2023 she was Invited to trial for U16 NZ Girls Basketball Team and selected for the Basketball Pasific NZ U18 Kori team.

She has also been in the Secondary Schools 3x3 Basketball Junior elite Grade.

Sahara Katene

Basketball
The Blackwell Family

Caitlin is currently in Year 13 at St Mary’s College in Wellington. In 2023 she was part of the NZSS Central Manawa Netball Squad winners of the National Champs and was part of the U18 Wellington Netball team which won the Netball NZ U18 Age Champs. She has been selected for the NZ U21 Squad.

Caitlin Lafaele

Netball
Abbey Charitable Trust

Isla is currently in Year 12 at Baradene College in Auckland. In 2023 she was part of the NZ Youth Black Fin for the Battle of the Tasman and won Gold in the U17 Surf Race Relay Team in the SLSNZ Nationals. In 2023 she competed in the NZSS 1st Place medley Relay team which broke a NZ Opens Record.

Isla Petherbridge

Surf Life Saving
RCP

Ngāpuhi

Priscilla is currently in Year 12 at Avondale College in Auckland. She is in the 2023 Marvels National Netball league team and the 2023 NZ Secondary School Netball Team and been named in the U21 NZ Squad.

Priscilla Rasmassen

Netball
Atlas Concrete

Lani is currently in Year 12 at Carmel College, North Shore – Tania's former high school. She was named in the 2023 NZ Junior Women’s squad and part of the 2023 IPCU19 Gold Medal Winners for Div 1 playing for North Harbour. She was also named in the 2023 Secondary Schools Tournament Team at the Auckland Volleyball Champs and Captain of the Carmel College Premier Volleyball team.

Lani Rawle

Volleyball
Rebel Sport

Kendra is currently in Year 10 at Mt Albert Grammer School in Auckland. In 2023 she placed 2nd in the Girls 100m and 200m Intermediate Sprinter categories at the College Sport Auckland Athletics Championships. She has been selected for the Auckland team for the NZ Track and Field Champs in March 2024.

Kendra Scalley-Tui

Athletics/Touch Rugby
Colliers & the Michael Synnott Memorial Trust

Braxton is currently in Year 12 Auckland Girls Grammar. In 2023 she was part of the Farrah Palmer Cup 2023 Champion Team the Auckland Storm. She was also NZ Rugby League U16 girls’ player of the year in 2022.

Braxton Sorensen-McGee

Rugby Union/Rugby League
Rebel Sport

Ngāti Raukawa/ Ngāti Maniapoto

Skylah is currently in Year 12 at Western Springs College in Auckland. In 2023 at 16 she debuted for the NZ Touch Blacks Open Women’s squad at the Trans-Tasman Series. She has represented Auckland and North Harbour at a national level from Under 9s to Under 18s and part of the 2023 North Harbour Touch Rugby Open Women’s team.

Skylah Tainui-Takerei

Touch Rugby
Burton Partners

Vanessa is urrently in Year 12 attending St Matthew's College in Masterton. She is currently in the U18 Youth National League for Football and the Wairarapa Women’s Division 1 Football team but also plays age group Central District Cricket and representative Hockey.

Vanessa Taylor

Football
Prospect Group

Grace is currently in Year 11 at Cromwell College in Central Otago.

In 2023 was selected to be part of the NZ Secondary Schools Netball Team and attended the National Development Camp. She was also selected for Steel Steps Accelerator Programme.

Grace Tiko

Netball
Bayleys Foundation

Trinity is currently in Year 11 at Rosehill College in Papukura, Auckland

In 2023 she was selected to play for NZ in the NZDSX U15 Squad the U15 Women’s Softball World Cup held in Japan.

Trinity Waiwiri-Toka

Softball
Goodman Property

Class of 2023

Anne Kirikiri

Netball, Mangere East
Supported by Frucor Suntory

Braxton Gallagher

Netball, Wairoa
Supported by the McCrea Family

Jaime-Lee Taunoa-Knight

Netball, Palmerston North Supported by Oyster

Kodee Williams-Sefo

Basketball, Auckland
Supported by 2degrees

Lucy Eastwood

Rowing, Cambridge
Supported by Kerridge

Olivia Tukia

Surf Lifesaving, West Auckland
Supported by Precinct

Phoenix Schwalger

Netball, Wellington
Supported by Safari Group

Praise Hola

Netball, Dunedin
Supported by Stride Property

Temepara Walker

Basketball, Hamilton
Supported by the Sutcliffe Family

Rosie Falcous

Surf Lifesaving, Dunedin
Supported by La-Za-Boy

Tyla Pita-Kani

Softball, Wellington
Supported by CamelSpace

Waikimihia Douglas-Karauna

Basketball, Rotorua
Supported by Safari Group

Class of 2022

  • My walk out song would be 'Hypnotize' by The Notorius B.I.G.
  • My final meal would be beef fried rice and wonton soup.
  • I'd love to learn how to ice skate.

Qaizden Stephano

Basketball, Auckland
Supported by Archibald & Shorter, North Shore

Kiara Bercelli

Football, Wanaka
Supported by Sutcliffe Family
  • My walk out song would be
  • My final meal would be
  • I'd love to learn how to

Vibha Godha

Football, Auckland
Supported by Rider Levett Bucknall

Atareipounamu Crown

Rugby, Otago
Supported by Russell Property Group

Torren Isakko

Netball, Wellington
Supported by LT McGuinness
  • If I had one superpower it would be to be able to fly
  • Chicken avocado sushi is my favourite and I'd devour that for my final meal
  • 'Gasolina' by Daddy Yankee with Pitbull is my walkout song

Ashlyn Koce

Netball, Tauranga
Supported by 2Degrees
  • 'Fantasy' by Mariah Carey is a banger so I have that as my walk out song
  • If I had to choose a final meal it would be Don Buri from Katsubi
  • I'd want to have a flint, unlimited Don Buri and a machete if I got stuck on an island

Tiana Landon

Volleyball, Hamilton
Supported by Allproof
  • 'Chi chi' by T.O.K would be my walk out song
  • For my final meal I'd choose pasta with chorizo
  • I'd love to be fluent in Māori

Ocearn Mathews

Softball, Auckland
Supported by Oyster Group
  • If I had one superpower it would be to be a mind/emotion reader so that I know when mum is in a good mood to ask her for things lol
  • I've always wanted to learn how to play the guitar like two of my brothers
  • 'U Can't Take This' by MC Hammer would be the song I'd walk out to

Tayla Norman

Touch & Rugby, Te Kauwhata
Supported by Club Grub
  • I love Hawaiian Pizza so would want that as my final meal
  • If I was stranded on an island and could only have 3 items, they would be a good book, an oodie and my phone
  • If I could learn one new skill it would be to juggle

Lily Pearce

Hockey & Surf Lifesaving, Tauranga
Supported by Barfoot & Thompson
  • My last meal would be Burger Fuels American Muscle burger with spud fries and a cookies and cream milkshake
  • I'd love to learn to surf
  • 'The Good Life' by Lisi would be my walk out song

Rosearna Stairmand

Tennis, Wellington
Supported by The Magness Family
  • 'Last last' by Burna Boy is my choice for a walk out song
  • My superpower would be quickness
  • I'd love to learn to speak a different language

Leilani Williams

Volleyball, Hastings
Supported by Jobmedia

Class of 2021

  • It would be epic to learn to speak Samoan fluently.
  • If I got stranded stuck on a desert island, I'd want to bring a friend, food and a torch.
  • I'd love to have Black Panther's superpowers.

Sylvia Brunt

Rugby, Auckland
Colliers in conjunction with the Michael Synnott Charitable Trust
  • I'd love to have a plate full of fruit and potato chips as my final meal.
  • I've always wanted to learn how to surf.
  • If I could only have 3 items on a desert island they would be - fruit, playing cards and matches.

Zoe Crawford

Surf Life Saving, Auckland
Supported by Vero Liability Insurance Ltd
  • My phone, food and sunscreen would be the 3 items I'd really want to have on a desert island
  • I love Mexican so that would be my final meal
  • I've always wanted to learn to surf

Kimberly Curry

Netball, Nelson
Supported by Solution Street
  • My walk out song would be 'Swag on' by Soulja Boy.
  • My final meal would be mum's butter chicken.
  • I'd want a boat, a sailor, and a Big Mac if I got stranded on a deserted island.

Jyordanna Davey

Basketball, Wellington
Supported by Paul & Liz Blackwell
  • I would love to learn how to play the guitar!!
  • Kayne West's 'All of the Lights' would be my walk out song
  • I'm going for survival if I got stuck on a deserted island and taking a knife, a fishing net and matches

Marama Downes

Cricket, Auckland
Supported by CBRE
  • My walk out song would be 'Believe' by Shawn Mendes.
  • I would want hamburgers as my final meal.
  • If I had one superpower it would be to travel through time (to prevent or help others futures).

Sade Kaipara-Morrison

Netball, Hamilton
Supported by Prospect Group
  • I'd like to learn how to speak Tongan
  • The items I'd want if I was on a desert island are a knife, a helicopter and a phone
  • Time travel would be my superpower

Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu

Rugby, Hamilton
Supported by Atlas Concrete
  • My last meal would be dad's roast chicken with potatoes, veggies and gravy.
  • If I could have a superpower if would be the ability to read minds.

Mia McCausland

Touch, Auckland
Supported by Bayleys Foundation
  • My last meal sushi followed by gelato
  • I'd like to learn how to whistle
  • If I could choose a superpower, it would be to have underwater control and the ability to fly

Bree McCowwat

Surf Lifesaving, Ngatea
Supported by Burton Partners
  • My walk out song would be 'Power' by Kanye.
  • If I was stuck on an island I'd want a water filter, Dora's backpack and sunnies.
  • I'd love to learn to play the guitar.

Melika Samia

Basketball, Napier
Supported by RCP
  • What song would I walk out to...'How Did You Get Here' by Little Simz
  • If I had one more day to live, I'd probably eat sushi
  • If I were a superhero my superpower would be teleportation

Sera Taei

Netball, Cambridge
Supported by Rocky Road Runners
  • I've always wanted to learn how to dance.
  • The 3 items that I'd want if I was stranded on an island - endless supply of food, gas, a yacht.
  • My walk out song would be 'KU LO SA' by Oxlade.

Ruby Tawa

Rugby, Tauranga
Supported by ASB
  • My walk out song would be 'New Flame' by Chris Brown.
  • Teleportation would be my choice for a superpower.
  • I've always wanted to learn to play the piano.

Luisa Togotogorua

Rugby, Auckland
Supported by Goodman

Scholarship Alumni

Class of 2020

  • My walk out song would be 'Dior' by Pop Smoke
  • If I could have one superpower it would be mind reading
  • I want to learn to be fluent in Te Reo Māori

K’lee Begbie

Rugby, Putaruru
Supported by Kerridge
  • If I was a superhero my superpower would be invisibility.
  • If I was stranded on an island, I'd want to have a massive bluetooth speaker with good bass, an endless source of good music and a blanket.
  • I have always wanted to learn multiple languages or how to cool gourmet stuff.

Ivari Christie

Netball, Morrinsville
Supported by La-Z-Boy
  • My walk out song would be 'It's Plenty' by Burna Boy.
  • If I was stuck on an island, I'd like to have a solar panel, a waterproof tent and a mini bbq.
  • I'd love to learn to play the guitar.

Fiapalagi Lai Kong

Netball, Christchurch
Supported by 2Degrees
  • My walk out song would be 'Bohemian Rhapsody' by Queen
  • If I was stuck on an island I'd want something to play music on, a pair of togs to tan and swim and some source of food that is yummy.
  • I'd love to learn music!

Teri MacDonald

Waterpolo, Hamilton
Supported by Solution Street

Patricia Maliepo

Rugby, Auckland
Supported by Camel Space

Parris Mason

Netball, Wellington
Supported by Precinct
  • My last meal would be my mum's chop suey with taro, fried chicken and potato salad
  • If I was stranded on an island, I'd want to have a tent, a knife and a lighter
  • I wish that I had Wonder Women's super powers

Mile Naime

Athletics, Auckland
Supported by Zion Armstrong
  • My walk out song would be 'Partition' by Beyonce
  • I'd love to learn to play the piano
  • If I could only take 3 things onto a deserted island, they'd be my bed, water and a boat to get off the island

Alana Paewai

Basketball, Hamilton
Supported by Stride Property Group
  • If I could have one superpower it would be the ability to read minds.
  • My final meal would be mince and fried bread. Yum!
  • I'd love to be fluent in Te Reo Māori.

Tara Turner

Touch, Whangarei
Supported by Swisse
  • My walk out song would be 'Forever' by Chris Brown
  • I'd want to have a tent, a machete and a lighter if I was stranded on an island.
  • For my final meal I'd love to have a Korean barbeque.

Maama Vaipulu

Volleyball, Auckland
Supported by NZ 1st Financial Services

Kenya Watene

Rugby, Huntly
Supported by Pak n Save Kaitaia
  • I'd love to be able to do the splits.
  • If I could choose one superpower, it would be the ability to fly.
  • My walk out song would be 'Maneater' by Nelly Furtado.

Khiarna Williams

Netball, Whakatane
Supported by Waterman Store

Class of 2019 & 2018

Amy Rule

Rugby
Supported by Russell Property Group

Briana Irving

Surf Life Saving
Supported by The Mairangi Collective

Caterina Poletti

Rugby
Supported by KiwiBank

Paris Lokotui

Netball
Supported by LT McGuinness

Princess Elliott

Touch
Supported by Archibald & Shorter North Shore

Quantelle Hira-Kapau

Netball
Supported by Jarden

Quaye Walker-Eketone

Basketball
Supported by The Drug Detection Agency (TDDA)

Taneisha Fifita

Netball
Supported by Magness Family

Tenaija Fletcher

Rugby
Supported by The Jurkovich Family

Vika Koloto

Netball
Supported by Barfoot & Thompson

Waiata Jennings

Basketball
Supported by Rider Levett Bucknall

Zaaliyah Kailahi-Fulu

Basketball
Supported by Oyster

Samalulu Clifton

Surf Life Saving
Supported by Bayleys Foundation

Dhys Faleafaga

Rugby
Supported by Augusta

Renee Holmes

Rugby
Supported by Burton Partners

Ricshay Lemanu

Rugby
Supported by Annette Presley

Leah Mafua

Basketball
Supported by Paul and Liz Blackwell
  • Class of 2018 scholarship recipient. Now alumni
  • Bachelors degree in communications
  • Current SLSNZ high performance squad member
  • Social media guru

Lucy Makaea

Surf Life Saving
Supported by RCP

Theresa Ngata

Netball
Supported by Colliers

Isla Norman-bell

Touch & Rugby
Supported by Atlas Concrete

Mahina Paul

Rugby
Supported by CBRE

Ainsleyana Puleiata

Netball
Supported by Adrian Burr

Sharne Pupuke

Basketball
Supported by Goodman

Holly Stewart

Tennis
Supported by ASB

Zoe Crawford

Class of 2021

K'Lee Begbie

Class of 2020

Amy Rule

Class of 2019

Renee Holmes

Class of 2018

Trustees Award Winners

The Tania Dalton Foundation Trustees award  The TDF Trustees Award honours the scholarship recipient who has fully embraced all components of the programme, including personal development and growth and positive relationships with TDF staff, board, mentors, and scholarship partners. The recipient will have continued to put their best foot forward in their chosen sport.

The beautiful korowai was gifted to TDF by alumni Isla Norman-Bell’s nan, Ruth Norman. Ruth wove a lot of love and meaning into the korowai. The hearts represent the love and passion that surrounds each person in the programme, the purple feathers reflect the TDF colours, 3 rows of 12 brown feathers are for each recipient in each year group for 3 years and supported by TDF, a scholarship partner and a mentor. This korowai is presented to the Trustees Award winner on an annual basis.

Subscribe for more updates

Stay up to date on the latest Tania Dalton Foundation news.