At 17 years old, Tauranga student Alex Rawlinson is a force of nature when it comes to the demanding sport of road cycling and plans to use her scholarship money to reach her greatest target yet - the Junior Road Cycling World Championships.

The commitment and pure determination of Alex to keep smashing her goals landed the Otumoetai College student with the Acorn Foundation Christine Tustain Sports Award administered through Sport Bay of Plenty.

Alex explains she will use the scholarship money to fund her Oceania cycling campaign.

“The race acts as trials for the Junior Road Cycling World Championships, which is my big goal for this year.”

The scholarship is a partnership between Sport Bay of Plenty and the Acorn Foundation which recognises the sporting talent of our region’s junior athletes.

Eligibility requirements welcome any young athlete in the Western Bay of Plenty Region aged 16 to under 23 who have achieved national representation in their sport.

Unstoppable Acorn Foundation Scholar sets her sights on the Junior Road Cycling World Championships. Photos supplied.

The Acorn Foundation Scholarship a way of recognising the outstanding achievements of our young athletes in the region and letting them know we are backing them all the way, says Sport Bay of Plenty general manager community sport and recreation Nick Chambers.

“We hope the scholarship money will propel Alex forward and help her on her way to achieve her dreams.

“It is a great honour for Sport Bay of Plenty to be a part of the network supporting her.”

Among the impressive accolades that Alex has collected in 2023 alone includes 1st place in the Under 20 Girls Cycling New Zealand Schools National Road Cycling Championships and 1st place in the under 19 girls New Zealand Road Cycling Championship.

The latter involved a spectacular solo breakaway, seeing her finish 1:54 ahead of second place.

“This scholarship means so much to me and it shows me that other people also have faith in my abilities.

“It really does take a village to raise an athlete, and without the generosity and the selflessness of people like Chris the award sponsor, I would not have the opportunities that I have now,” Alex says.

Alex is also a member of Triathlon Tauranga and has competed in triathlons since she was seven years old.

She didn’t decide to focus entirely on road cycling until 2022, and since then her race results have gone from strength to strength.

As for her greatest fans, Alex’s parents Rachel and Craig say supporting Alex has been an exciting adventure with many lessons along the way.

“In the last year we've been to road race, time trial, criterium, and track cycling events in Tauranga, Tokoroa, Timaru, Cambridge, Fielding and Palmerston North.

“We’d like to thank the Acorn Foundation, and the award sponsor for helping Alex get to her next big events, including one in Brisbane.

Unstoppable Acorn Foundation Scholar sets her sights on the Junior Road Cycling World Championships. Photos supplied.

“Alex is really committed to her cycling and will give the opportunity 100%.”

Alex adds, “Ultimately, I plan to take my cycling as far as I can, and this scholarship allows for me to build the foundation I need to do so.”

This sports award will be the 11th of its kind given away by the Acorn Foundation on behalf of its donor, Christine Tustain.

“It is an honour to bring together our generous donor and such worthy young athletes each year,” says Acorn Foundation Scholarships Specialist, Jo Wilson.

“Chris’s generosity provides an impact that goes beyond the financial support, it is belief and recognition of the hard work, dedication and good character these athletes have shown to their sport.”

Follow Alex’s journey on her Instagram and Facebook at @alexrawlinson.cycling