Bunbury Paralympic swimming prospect Alex Saffy has received the 2021 Wally Foreman Foundation Scholarship, as he aspires to represent Australia at Paris 2024.

Saffy, 16, who has cerebral palsy and competes in the S9 100m butterfly and S8 breastroke events, has already shown his potential, having notched a qualifying time for this year’s Tokyo Games.

However, with his age having restricted him to domestic competitions and COVID closing borders, Saffy was unable to fulfil the requirement of recording an international result to confirm his place.

Saffy’s dedication to his sport has been unquestionable, as until 2020 he competed against able-bodied, before the progression of his condition made it challenging to remain still on the blocks.

Obstacles outside Saffy’s control were also placed on his path to Paris, with Bunbury Swimming Club having lost its coach and COVID restrictions unlikely to see a replacement in a timely manner.

The Wally Foreman Foundation determined it could support Saffy’s career with a grant to assist in his attendance of Perth-based camps to supplement local and interstate competition.

Wally Foreman Foundation Chair Glen Foreman said: "Alex is the type of athlete the Wally Foreman Foundation exists to support – his dedication is clear, with a little help needed to take the next step.

"Alex has not let anything stand in his way, including competing against able-bodied athletes, and the Foundation is excited to be a part of his path to Paris, and his dream of becoming a Paralympian.

"The Wally Foreman Foundation has a proud history of support athletes with a disability in representing their country, and we look forward to cheering Alex on in the lead-up to, and in, 2024.

"The Wally Foreman Foundation Scholarship is only possible due to the ongoing support of WAIS, and organisations such as the Carbine Club of WA, and I thank them for their support.”

Wally Foreman Foundation

The Wally Foreman Foundation aspires to continue the work of respected sports broadcaster and administrator Wally Foreman, who was a tireless advocate for WA athletes and coaches, before his death in 2006.

The Foundation, through its activities and the generosity of the community and bodies such as the Western Australian Institute of Sport and the Carbine Club of WA, raises funds to support WA athletes not covered by existing scholarships in their pursuit of excellence.

Wally Foreman Foundation Scholarships

The Wally Foreman Foundation has issued 49 scholarships (inclusive of the 2021 grant) since 2008.

Its alumni include national champions (such as sprinter Jody Henry and open water swimmer Rhys Mainstone), World Champions (such as cycling's Melissa Hoskins, Josie Tomic and Luke Durbridge), Olympic medallists (water polo's Emma Knox and equestrian's Sonja Johnson) and trailblazers (para-triathlete Brant Garvey).