The OSM Young Talent Grants (YTG) celebrate and support the achievements of young New Zealanders, with grants towards training, competing or next steps in their chosen field of endeavor.
An initiative from Cookie Time’s OSM brand, the YTG is funded and administered by the Cookie Time Charitable Trust. Each year up to $50,000 is made available to the YTG, and with this we aim to support as many young people as possible to fuel their mission. Anyone 25 years or under, who is performing at national or international level & who is on a mission to the top is welcome to apply, including youth teams and organisations.
At its discretion, the YTG may be able to support you in one of two ways:
- A $250-$500 financial grant
To make your application, Click here
If you are a not-for-profit group or school looking for fundraising assistance, please check out the CTCT Other Support page here
Some of our previous grants to talented young New Zealanders include:
Mathilda & Isabel Watterson: Wānaka alpine ski racing sisters Mathilda (16) and Izzy (15) Watterson were both awarded a Cookie Time Charitiable Trust grant to support training for their NZ Winter 2024 season. Mathilda won the overall U21 New Zealand title at Coronet Peak, whilst Izzy dominated all three U16 National Slalom races at the Remarkables. Mathilda is now a member of the Snow Sports New Zealand (SSNZ) junior FIS squad and will be heading to the northern hemisphere in 2025 to represent New Zealand on the FIS racing circuit, while Izzy is part of the New Zealand Youth Squad with exciting career opportunities ahead of her.
Sarah Wadsworth: In the past 18 months, Sarah has broken 2 World Distance DiscGolf Throwing records and 2 World Championship titles. She received a Cookie Time Charitable Trust grant to support her upcoming 2 Discgolf Majors - the US Women's Championships in Wisconsin June 2025 and the World Junior Championships in Emporia, Kansas July 2025. At 9 years old, Sarah has become the first New Zealander in all DiscGolf divisions to win a World Title along the way.
Hamish Giddens: "In 2024, Hamish was offered numerous scholarships to dance schools across the world including the Dutch National, Houston Ballet, San Fransisco and Zurich Ballet Academy. After performing at the Youth American Grand Prix in New York, he was also invited to attend the intensive summer school programme at the Royal Ballet London. Cookie Time Charitable Trust awarded Hamish a grant to put towards this programme, which if successful - Hamish will be able to audition for the full time programme at the Royal Ballet. At present, Hamish is in the top 12 male dancers across the world in the 16-20 age group.
Ysabella Ebuen: At 12, Ysabella began her high performance training in Taekwondo at Victoria Victoria University in Wellington and a year later at just 13 years old, Ysabella was selected last as part of the National team of Taekwondo New Zealand. She was invited to participate in the Hong Kong 2024 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships and recieved a Cookie Time Chartiable Trust grant to help fund her trip over there. Ysabella fought against USA, Argentina and Hungary and showed strong and consistent performances setting the bar for the rest of the team.
Georgia Simpson: "Georgina has been performing theatre at the Hartley School of Performing Arts in Rangiora since she was 5 years old. She has been cast in 8 major productions over the last 6 years and was presented a Gifted Kiwi Award by the Ministry of Education in 2024. I spend much of my free time, writing my own scripts and designing costumes and sets. My parents currently fund my drama and dance classes. Last year I presented with a Gifted Kiwi Award from Ministry of Education. Georgina is working towards a career with Showbiz in Christchurch and the National Youth Theatre. She received a Cookie Time Charitable Grant to fund her private singing lessons at HSPA for the acadamic year of 2025. "
Hugo Wrathall: Hugo was selected to represent NZ at the World Short Course Champs in Budapest last year. Cookie Time Charitable Trust awarded him a grant to further his training goals towards the World University Champs 2025, World Long Course Champs 2025 & 2026 Commonwealth Games. On top of this, Hugo is also Multiple National Champion in Surf Lifesaving pool rescue and continues to represent New Zealand as a squad member for Surf Lifesaving.
St Mary's College Future Probelm Solving Team: St Mary's College Future Problem Solving Team, have been invited to the International Future Problem Solving Conference at the University of Indiana - a global programme aimed at gifted and talented young people. This team have been working for two years to reach the national standard of the competition, and this is the first time a team from St Marys College has reached the international standards. They received a grant from Cookie Time Charitable Trust to help get the team over to the USA to represent New Zealand.
Willy Sloane: Willy is on track to participate in the NZRCA On-road Electric Nationals 2025. NZRCA is the national body of radio control car racing in New Zealand. Last year Willy placed
1st in the South Island Champs and 3rd in the New Zealand Nationals. He received a Cookie Time Charitable Trust grant to put towards 2025 tournament entry fees and kit.
Ella Arnold and Ben Roff: Ella and Ben received a Cookie Time Charitable grant to cover their entry costs of the upcoming SSANZ Evolution Sails Northern Triangle, which is scheduled for February 2025.
They have teamed up to take part in this two-handed race which is an added challenge in sailing, as most race crews are a group of 4-6. The two have competed in numerous major regattas throughout their sailing careers and last year they placed 2nd and 6th in the 2024 New Zealand Youth Match Racing Championships. Ella and Ben continue to push the limits on sailing, competing in races where distances cover thousands of KMs, 7+ days on the water racing.