People First Bank Scholarships support inclusion at Adelaide University Sport

Adelaide University Sport and Fitness is proud to announce the recipients of the People First Bank Scholarships, recognising three student-athletes whose sporting journeys reflect the importance of inclusion across university sport.

The scholarships are awarded across three streams including Women in Sport, Regional Athletes and First Nations, with each recipient receiving $1,000 in financial support deposited into a People First Bank account. Each stream is designed to address different barriers faced by students, while supporting their ability to continue pursuing sport and study at a high level.

The People First Bank Scholarship for Women in Sport recognises the importance of supporting female athletes as they transition into senior sport at Adelaide University, a time when participation can become more challenging due to financial pressure and competing commitments.

For Victoria Cholsh, elite middle-distance runner and this year’s recipient, the scholarship provides meaningful support at an important stage of her sporting and academic journey. A member of the Adelaide University Athletics Club, Cholsh has represented AU at UniSport National Championships, and so far in 2026 has competed at the Australian Athletics Championships in Sydney, New South Wales, and took home Silver in the 800 Metres at the Oceania Athletics Championships in Darwin, Northern Territory, setting a PB in the process.

"I have always enjoyed running since my first athletics carnival in primary school," Cholsh says. "Continuing sport from high school throughout university has its challenges, especially when there is a decrease in senior female athlete representation compared to junior. The financial support helps me to continue training whilst studying and gives me the time to focus on doing my best in both sport and study."

For regional athletes, travel, accommodation, and access to training and competition can add another layer of difficulty to an already demanding balance between study and sport.

Sarah Dally is an endurance cyclist representing South Australia, and the 2026 recipient of the People First Bank Scholarship for Regional Athletes. Moving from Mount Gambier to study at Adelaide University, Dally was originally identified by SASI during a talent search while in Year 10 at Mount Gambier High School. She has since competed at National and Oceanic Track Championships and National Road Championships.

"Coming from a regional background means additional travel, accommodation and training expenses are a constant part of my journey," Dally said. "Living away from home requires additional dedication, independence, and organisation to ensure I can support myself financially, maintain household responsibilities, and balance the demands of training and study. The financial support from this scholarship helps ease those challenges, allowing me to focus on performing at my best."

The People First Bank Scholarship First Nations stream recognises and celebrates First Nations student-athletes, acknowledging the importance of diverse sporting culture and representation. Isabella Guthrie, a proud Dunghutti woman and this year’s recipient, says the scholarship has made a significant difference as she balances university studies with elite-level athletics.

Guthrie competes in the 400 Metre Hurdles and has represented Australia since she was 18, including at the World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany in 2025. Her Indigenous culture is an important part of her identity, and she has shared this with younger athletes as part of the Australian Institute of Sport's Share a Yarn program, developed to inspire the next generation and create positive sporting pathways.

"The financial support helps ease the pressures of travel, training and study, allowing me to focus on reaching my goals both on and off the track," Guthrie said. "As a proud Dunghutti woman, it’s incredibly special to be supported in a way that recognises both my sporting aspirations and my culture, and I hope to inspire other First Nations athletes to pursue both their academic and sporting dreams."

By supporting First Nations athletes, Adelaide University Sport and Fitness and People First Bank are helping to create visibility for emerging leaders like Guthrie who can inspire future students to see sport and education as spaces where they belong.

People First Bank Business Development Specialist Vince Messineo said the three scholarships reflect the organisation’s belief in the long-term value of investing in young people.

"We believe investing in sporting scholarships is an investment in the leaders of tomorrow," Messineo said. "By supporting inclusiveness and talented student-athletes, we are helping young people pursue academic excellence while developing the resilience, discipline and teamwork that create lasting success both on and off the field. We are proud to play a role in empowering the next generation to achieve their full potential and strengthen the communities they will go on to serve."

As part of the scholarship, recipients will provide updates throughout the year on their sporting activities, and complete an end-of-year review outlining what they achieved during the scholarship period.

The People First Bank Scholarships reinforce a shared commitment between Adelaide University Sport and Fitness and People First Bank to create a more inclusive sporting environment. By supporting women in sport, regional athletes and First Nations athletes, the program helps remove barriers, celebrate diverse experiences and ensure student-athletes are given the opportunity to pursue their goals with confidence.