Meet Ebony Brunt - Recipient of the Peter Webb Memorial Scholarship
The Peter Webb Memorial Scholarship was established by the Tuggeranong Valley Rugby Union and Sports Club in recognition of Peter Webb’s commitment to the young people living, studying and playing sport in the Tuggeranong Valley.
This scholarship aims to reward excellence in both sporting and academic achievement and aims to assist recipients with the cost of furthering their education.
It is with much pleasure that we announce Ebony Brunt as our inaugural recipient.
Ebony is 18 years old with sporting achievements that are unimaginable for someone of her age.
Ebony grew up in Tuggeranong attending school locally. “My family have always been in Tuggeranong, it’s such a nice place to live. We grew up here, we grew up with Vikings.”
Playing Ice Hockey in Canberra since she was young, for 10 years she was the only girl on her team something that placed her in good stead for our National competition. “It’s disappointing that all sports can’t get the exposure that the more popular sports do. Ice Hockey is so much fun to watch, but is even more fun on the ice. Everyone should give it a go!”
At the age of 14, Ebony was playing Ice Hockey for our National Under 18 Women’s Team. She also played in the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics in a Barbarian Team with people from a variety of other Countries.
“It was amazing, there were only four Aussie girls at the Youth Olympics for ice hockey and the rest were, literally, from all over the World. It is my favourite team to have played in so far.”
Whilst being a member of the Australian National team, Ebony is also playing for the Sydney Sirens in the Australian Woman’s Ice Hockey League (AWIHL). “We train in Sydney on Wednesday nights and play in all major capitals excluding Canberra. Maybe one day . . . “
Ebony received early acceptance into UC in Year 11 and is starting this year studying Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation.
“I am supposed to be in South Africa with the Australian Women’s Team for the World Championships this month but chose to stay in Canberra and start University first. I love studying and I’m really excited about my courses.”
Ebony’s hidden passion is increasing the visibility of women’s sport as well as positioning herself to promote the same rules for all teams. “Ice Hockey is softened for women, it’s not full contact, we can’t choose which protective gear we use and there is no exposure regardless of whether we are world champions or not. If I can work on increasing visibility of women’s sport across my career – that would be great.”
On behalf of the Vikings Group we would like to congratulate Ebony on all that she has achieved and without doubt, all that she will achieve. You embody everything that this scholarship is about, Ebony.