Talented teen Amelie Bourke is keen to make her mark on the World Surf League (WSL) in the foreseeable future.
And, she recently received a shot in the arm to achieving that goal.
The rising Merewether star was one of four recipients of the inaugural Meg Purser Pathway Program, a crowd-funding initiative to assist local youngsters reach the top of their chosen sport, alongside Philippa Anderson, Ellie Lambkin and Logan Dalton.
The 19-year-old hopes the funding will allow her to improve her ranking on the tour moving forward.
“It’s great,” Bourke said of the scheme named in honour of the late businesswoman, who died from cancer in 2021.
“I was mind-blown really; I didn’t know it was happening.
“Then when I got the phone call, it was crazy.
“I couldn’t believe it.
“But, it will help me, greatly, financially… it’ll let me travel to more places and compete in more competitions.”
Bourke contested the WSL Women’s Qualifying Series (QS) in 2021/22, finishing the season in 33rd spot after amassing 2,030 points from nine events, including the Phillip Island Pro, C A R V E Great Lakes Pro, Gage Roads Port Stephens Pro, Sisstrevolution Central Coast Pro, Oakberry Tweed Coast Pro, AAP Consulting Women’s Pro at Surfest, Mad Mex Maroubra Pro, Gold Coast Open and Krui Pro.
“I made a few heats – and went alright,” she told the Newcastle Weekly.
“It’s been good for me; I’m still definitely learning heaps.
“However, my aim is to get onto the WSL.
“I know it’ll take a lot of hard work, but I’m prepared to do that.
“I’m surfing every day and training, whether it’s in the surf or in the gym.
“I also try to test myself in all [surf] conditions to develop my skill set.”
Bourke, who’ll resume her quest in Western Australia in a month’s time, has been hitting the waves for the past decade.
But, she doesn’t have to go far for inspiration either.
“There’s a heap of local role models – from Philippa (Anderson) to the boys like Jackson Baker, Ryan Callinan and Morgan Cibilic,” she said.
“Plus, the community’s really supportive.
“The Merewether Surfboard Club, one of the oldest and most successful organisations, is great, too.
“Those there not only get behind us, they push us to be better.
“We can talk to other surfers, who we look up to, for advice.
“Each generation, there’s the next big thing, however we’re all there for each other.”
