U19 World Champion Rory Meehan Receives Sport Australia Hall of Fame Scholarship

by Lisa Darmanin / Australian Sailing Team 21 Oct 17:42 NZDT

Queenslander Rory Meehan has been awarded a Sport Australia Hall of Fame's 2026 Tier 3 Scholarship for 2026. The 18-year-old iQFOiL sailor is grateful to be awarded the scholarship as a representative of sailing and embraces the additional support as he chases his Olympic dream.

"Being a successful SAHOF Scholarship recipient means a lot to me," shared Meehan. "It recognises my hard work and helps me continue chasing my dream of representing Australia at the Olympics. This support makes a real difference as I work to compete at the highest level in iQFOiL windsurfing."

Meehan is one of 32 athletes from 32 different sports awarded an elite scholarship, with $150,000 of funding distributed across three tiers. Beyond support from the Hall of Fame and its celebrated membership, Tier 3 athletes each receive $2,500 and merchandise from the Sport Australia Hall of Fame partners, BLACKROLL and Grip Star Socks.

Having sailed since the age of seven, Meehan has honed his skills across several classes, including Pacers, Flying 11s, and 29ers, before transitioning into the iQFOiL class in early 2022. With just over three years on the exhilarating iQFOiL hydrofoiling windsurfer, Meehan has already made his mark on the international stage.

In July, Meehan achieved a major milestone by winning the U19 iQFOiL World Championships in France, following a string of impressive senior international results. His long-term ambition is to continue competing against the world's best in top-level international regattas and ultimately represent Australia at the Olympic Games. With aspiration for life beyond competition, including to encourage, coach and support young sailors.

Sport Australia Hall of Fame Chair, America's Cup winner and Olympic bronze medallist John Bertrand AO, said, "We are proud to welcome the next generation of elite junior athletes into our 2026 Scholarship & Mentoring Program. This initiative is a place where talent meets opportunity and dreams are fuelled by the guidance and support of some of Australia's GREATEST sporting stars.

"We look forward to supporting these 32 young athletes to grow, learn and take their sporting journeys to new heights."

The Sport Australia Hall of Fame Scholarship & Mentoring Program, established in 2006, has supported over 267 young athletes in 58 sports. The program connects scholarship holders with SAHOF Members, providing life-changing personal development, work-life balance guidance and media training. Expanded in 2020 to a three-tiered structure, the program now ensures even greater opportunities for Australia's emerging sporting talent.

Previous sailing recipients include Olympians Nia Jerwood, Olivia Price and Brin Liddell, as well as rising stars Evie Saunders and Zac Littlewood. Now, Meehan joins this esteemed list as a young athlete already proving he's one to watch on the path to Olympic glory.