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Australian Olympic sailor's father awarded grant to attend Beijing Olympic Sailing Regatta

The first recipient of a grant from the Johnson & Johnson Athlete Family Support Program

Article By Wendy Moline,

Photos By Peter Andrews.

February 19, 2008.

The Johnson & Johnson Athlete Family Support Program was officially launched on 18 February 2008 with the announcement of the program’s first successful recipient - Tony Outteridge, father of Nathan Outteridge who struggled to regain his Olympic place after a severe road accident.

The program is a $200,000 pledge from Johnson & Johnson Pacific to help Australian Olympians' families and support members to travel to the Beijing Olympics.

Tony Outteridge with his son and Australian Olympic Sailing Team representative, Nathan. Tony is the first successful recipient of a grant from the Johnson & Johnson Athlete Family Support Program. The program provides funding grants to family members for travel to the Beijing Olympic Games.

Tony Outteridge with his son and Australian Olympic Sailing Team representative, Nathan. Tony is the is the first successful recipient of a grant from the Jonston < Jonston Athlete Family Support Program. The program provides funding grants to family members for travel to the Beijing Olympic Games.

Nathan Outteridge nominated his father, Tony, for the $5,000 grant, paying homage to the sacrifices made by his dad, and indeed the entire family, to help him become an Olympian. Tony will use the grant to travel to Beijing to support Nathan in his first Olympic Games.

From left to right, Tony Outteridge and son Nathan; Jonston < Jonston's Rowena Millward; Commonwealth Games Medalist Johanna Grigs; and Olympic Decathlete and President of the NSW Olympian's Club Peter Hatfield; at the launch of the Jonston < Jonston Athlete Family Support Program.

From left to right, Tony Outteridge and son Nathan; Johnson & Johnson's Rowena Millward; Commonwealth Games Medalist Johanna Grigs; and Olympic Decathlete and President of the NSW Olympian's Club Peter Hatfield; at the launch of the Johnson & Johnson Athlete Family Support Program.

Asked at the media conference when Nathan had first shown an interest in sailing, Tony said that he “loved sailing as a little kid and seemed to take to it”, and added “I’m just so pleased he’s not a slow learner and got there quick”.

Nathan suffered a serious car accident when he was 17, suffering spinal injuries and was told he may never walk again. His father was a key partner in his rehabilitation. He and the rest of the family have also supported him financially and in a practical way, fixing equipment and helping him prepare for regattas.

Nathan Outteridge and Ben Austin out on Sydney last December, training with the US and other national teams ahead of the Sydney International Regatta.

Now Nathan has qualified to represent Australia in the 49er class at the Beijing Olympics in August this year. Having won the World Championship in Victoria earlier this year, Nathan says “it will be great to have the whole family in Beijing to support me”. He acknowledges that he would not have been able to get back to elite level sailing without his father’s help.

From left to right, Tony and Nathan Outteridge, Rowena Millward, Johanna Grigs and AOC Member and President of the NSW Olympic Council, Helen Brownlee at the launch of the Johnson & Johnson Athlete Family Support Program.

“Dad made huge sacrifices, like increasing the mortgage, to afford the travel costs, equipment and boats I needed for training and competing. He also spent countless hours in the shed fixing and re-rigging the boats while teaching me many of the practical skills that now help me compete,” said Nathan.

Tony and Nathan Outteridge with Olympic Decathlete and President of the NSW Olympian's Club Peter Hatfield at the launch of the Johnson & Johnson Athlete Family Support Program.

Tony and Nathan Outteridge with Olympic Decathlete and President of the NSW Olympian's Club Peter Hatfield at the launch of the Jonston < Jonston Athlete Family Support Program

Other Olympic Shadow Team and selected athletes are invited to apply for the Johnson & Johnson Athlete Family Support Program by submitting the Athlete Selection Criteria document which is available through their particular sporting federation and online at www.jnjaust.com.au/gettothegames.

Applications are judged on an individual needs basis and successful applicants will be eligible following confirmation of Australian Olympic Selection.

Tony and Nathan Outteridge face the media at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia after it was announced that Tony was the first successful recipient of a grant from the Johnson & Johnson Athlete Family Support Program.

Tony and Nathan Outteridge at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia after it was announced that Tony was the first successful recipient of a grant from the Johnson & Johnson Athlete Family Support Program.

Nathan Outteridge and Ben Austin out on Sydney Harbour last December, ahead of the Sydney International Regatta.

Nathan Outteridge and Ben Austin on their 49er out on Sydney Harbour last December, ahead of the Sydney International Regatta.

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