VSA Junior Funding Guidelines

Youth Development Program and Youth Post Solo Scholarship

The VSA supports Clubs which encourage young people to take up gliding, and individual junior pilots to attend competitions and coaching events.

Financial support is offered under three options:

1. Clubs – Youth Development Program: A grant to VSA Clubs to implement a Youth Development Program.  Open to any VSA Club which establishes a flight training program specifically for a group of young people (under 26).
2. Club – Individual Post-Solo Scholarship: Where a VSA Club has insufficient members to operate a youth development program, there are individual scholarships available for a young person (under 21) who has reached solo stage and wishes to advance to obtain the Glider Pilot Certificate (GPC) to train with that Club.  Clubs are encouraged to seek out suitable candidates to apply for scholarships via the Club.  The VSA would expect no more than two scholarships in one Club at any one time.  If there is additional demand the Club will be encouraged to adopt a youth development program.
3. Individual – Event Attendance:  Individual junior pilots (under 26) may apply to the VSA for funding to attend competition and coaching events (e.g. Joey Glide, Horsham Coaching Week etc.)

The VSA budget for these initiatives depends on available funds and is largely subject to grants funding obtained from Sport and Recreation Victoria.  Applications are likely to be competitive.

How to Apply

Either the Club – Junior Funding Request Club Template or Individual – Junior Funding Request Individual Template must be completed and sent to the VSA Secretary for consideration.  Early applications are encouraged.

Guidelines

1. For the Club – Youth Development Program the VSA will agree with the Club an appropriate level of funding on the number of junior pilots involved and program planned by the Club.

2. The Club – Individual Post-Solo Scholarship will subsidise the direct costs of flight training (launching and glider hire) up to $1000 for aerotow clubs and $500 for winch clubs.

3. The Individual – Event Attendance program will provide funding of up to $1500 for an individual junior pilot to attend a recognised international competition or up to $750 for a National competition or up to $500 for a State competition or coaching event.

4. Junior pilots must be no older than 21 years at the time of application for an Individual Post-Solo Scholarship, with the other programs available to target junior pilots up to the age of 26.

5. Junior pilots in receipt of funding under any of the programs are expected to:

• • • Provide an interview for the VSA Newsletter and/or Gliding Australia magazine
    • Publicise their experiences to young people via social media to broaden the appeal of gliding to other young people.
    • Be available for appearances and to assist at Club or VSA marketing events
    • Maintain a level of activity which ensures consistent training progress noting that there will be times when educational study has priority.

6. Clubs making applications are expected to:

• • • Provide additional subsidies to junior pilots either on flying rates, club membership or both.
    • Hold the VSA dunds in trust and utilise them to reimburse flight training expenses.
    • Ensure the junior pilot achieve a satisfactory rate of progress.
    • Provide the VSA with an aquittal of expenses per student at the end of 12 months.
    • Return any surplus monies if the student discontinues the program.
    • Provide VSA with a report of involvement in volunteer activities.

7. The VSA supports family participation, where possible, in order that the junior pilots are give ongoing encouragement and recognition

8. Junior pilots will be responsible for their GFA and Club membership fees.

9. In any one calendar year, a junior pilot can only receive funding under one option. All funding is for a 12 month duration from the date of being awarded.  Request for extensions of time and/or funding will be considered.

10. The amount of funding provided is at the absolute discretion of the VSA.